James Purefoy (HBO's "Rome") has been cast as the titular puritan swordsman in Davis Films "Solomon Kane," based on the stories of Robert E. Howard ("Conan the Barbarian").

Kane is a 16th century soldier who learns that his brutal and cruel actions have damned him but is determined to redeem himself by living peaceably.

But he finds himself dragged out of retirement for a fight against evil. The first in a planned series of three movies, Michael J. Bassett ("Deathwatch") will direct from his own script.

Shooting begins later this year.