Veteran character actor Ian McShane (Lovejoy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Deadwood) is joining the cast of Brett Ratner’s adaptation of the Radical Studios comic book Hercules: The Thracian Wars. McShane joins a cast that includes the previously announced Rufus Sewall, who will play Hercules’ wrestling tutor Autolycus, in support of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who is taking on the title role and Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie who will play Hercules’ ally Tydeus (see "Headhunters Star Joins 'Hercules' Cast").

Variety is reporting that in addition to McShane, Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, and Rebecca Ferguson will round out the cast of what Paramount is touting as a "real world" take on the legendary hero.  Photography is set to begin on Hercules, which the studio sees a major summer tentpole movie, in May with the film’s debut set for July 25, 2014.