Fans of Dog Soldiers, The Descent and Doomsday get ready for Neil Marshall’s violent period piece Centurion, which was acquired today by Magnet Releasing (Magnolia Pictures) for release this summer via their second “Six Shooter Film Series.” While the film is mostly action-oriented, we’ll do a little coverage here and there until we can find out just how bloody and disgusting it is. Check out some new stills below.
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The Wagner/Cuban Companies’ Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired U.S. rights to CENTURION, an epic sword and sandal thrill ride from cult-favorite filmmaker Neil Marshall (The Descent), starring Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, 300), Dominic West (300, The Wire), David Morrissey (Red Riding Trilogy), and stunning Bond-girl Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace).

Magnet is launching CENTURION as the 6th entry in the second “Six Shooter Film Series,” a collection of six of the most exciting contemporary worldwide action films which also includes Bronson, Red Cliff, Ong Bak 2, District 13: Ultimatum and The Warlords. A summer theatrical release is planned.

Boasting savagely violent battle scenes and an adrenaline fueled chase through the breathtaking Scottish highlands, CENTURION is set during the war between Roman soldiers and Pict tribesmen during the 2nd century Roman conquest of Britain. Fassbender stars as Quintus Dias, Roman centurion and son of a legendary gladiator who leads a group of soldiers on a raid of a Pict camp to rescue a captured general (West). The son of the Pict leader is murdered during the raid, and the Romans find themselves hunted by a seemingly unstoppable group of the Pict’s most vicious and skilled warriors, led by a beautiful and deadly tracker (Kurylenko), who are hell bent on revenge.

“CENTURION is a blood drenched masterpiece,” said Magnolia/Magnet SVP Tom Quinn. “Neil has made an action movie that delivers on every level, and fans are going to go wild for it. There couldn’t be a better film to wrap up the `Six Shooter’ series.”

Neil Marshall adds, “I’m incredibly happy that CENTURION has found a home of such quality and prestige, and amongst such high caliber company too! I look forward to collaborating with Tom and everyone at Magnolia on the forthcoming US release. If history is written in blood, then CENTURION is hardcore history – bloody and brutal!”

Mike Runagall of Pathé commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Tom and the team at Magnolia and their marketing and distribution prowess will ensure CENTURION reaches a wide US audience.”

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia/Magnet’s Quinn with Mike Runagall of Pathe International.

CENTURION is a Pathé Productions presentation in association with the UK Film Council of a Celador Films Production of A Film by Neil Marshall.