Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson Take Up Swords For ‘Cla...

Louis Leterrier’s “Clash of the Titans” remake is quickly coming together, and the director has mimicked the 1981 original by recruiting the best of Britain and Ireland to reside in Mount Olympus. According to Variety, Ralph Fiennes is set to play Hades, the God of the Underworld, and Liam Neeson will be flinging lightning bolts as the top god Zeus — a role played by Sir Laurence Olivier in the original film.

Fiennes and Neeson join Sam Worthington (Perseus), Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, Alexa Davalos in Leterrier’s retelling of the Greek myth. The director is already departing from both versions of the story by giving a big part to Hades, and by adding Mikkelsen’s character Draco, head of the Praetorian Guard.

The casting also suggests there will be a bit more romantic friction, as Perseus may be romancing two ladies — Io (played by Arterton), and Andromeda (played by Davalos).

Scheduling could keep Fiennes out of the underworld, as “Clash” is just one of many films he’s trying to fit into his “Harry Potter” break. While some of us might prefer a summer beach vacation from playing He Who Shall Not Be Named, Fiennes finds it relaxing to rule over the land of the dead before returning to destroy Hogwarts in the fall.

MTV readers, what do you think of the casting? Isn’t Ralph Fiennes perfect for Hades? Do you think Liam Neeson makes for an imposing enough Zeus? What do you think of the story changes hinted so far?