EMPEROR: YOUNG CAESAR to be directed by Burr Steers
Anybody that goes by the name Burr Steers is okay in my book. Remember that episode of The Simpsons where Homer changed his name to Max Powers? I think Burr Steers has that same effect, it demands attention.
Burr Steers has been brought in by Exclusive Media Group to direct the Julius Caesar film Emperor: Young Caesar. We talked about this film earlier this month, it is being developed by the same producing team that brought us Zack Snyder's 300. This is definitely a different project for Steers, it's more epic than anything he's done before, which includes Igby Goes Down and 17 Again.
This is the first of what they hope to be several films based Conn Iggulden's Emperor series of novels The Gates of Rome, The Death of Kings, and The Field of Swords. William Broyles Jr. has been brought in the write the script, and he sure does have an impressive resume that includes Apollo 13, Cast away, Jarhead, and Flags of Our Fathers. The story for the films follow the relationship between Julius and Marcus Brutus from childhood to that fateful encounter on the Roman Senate floor.
Steer's had this to say in a statement:
I've always had an interest in Julius Caesar and his formative years and am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of this project. There has never been a film that focuses on Caesar as a young man, and Conn Iggulden, Bill Broyles and Stephen Harrigan have a completely fresh, timely, and exciting take on one of the greatest historical figures of all time. I look forward to working with Conn, Bill and Stephen, Exclusive Media, Atmosphere's Mark Canton and Hollywood Gang's Gianni Nunnari and Craig Flores.
It should be interesting to what what Steers does with the film. This will be his biggest film yet, but his name is Burr Steers so I don't think he'll have a problem.
Here is a description of the first novel which the film will be based of off, The Gates of Rome:
On the lush Italian peninsula, a new empire is taking shape. At its heart is the city of Rome, a place of glory and decadence, beauty and bloodshed. Against this vivid backdrop, two boys are growing to manhood, dreaming of battles, fame, and glory in service of the mightiest empire the world has ever known. One is the son of a senator, a boy of privilege and ambition to whom much has been given and from whom much is expected. The other is a bastard child, a boy of strength and cunning, whose love for his adoptive family–and his adoptive brother–will be the most powerful force in his life.
As young Gaius and Marcus are trained in the art of combat–under the tutelage of one of Rome’s most fearsome gladiators–Rome itself is being rocked by the art of treachery and ambition, caught in a tug-of-war as two rival generals, Marius and Sulla, push the empire toward civil war. For Marcus, a bloody campaign in Greece will become a young soldier’s proving ground. For Gaius, the equally deadly infighting of the Roman Senate will be the battlefield where he hones his courage and skill. And for both, the love of an extraordinary slave girl will be an honor each will covet but only one will win.
The two friends are forced to walk different paths, and by the time they meet again everything will have changed. Both will have known love, loss, and violence. And the land where they were once innocent will be thrust into the grip of bitter conflict–a conflict that will set Roman against Roman...and put their friendship to the ultimate test.
So what do you all think of Burr Steers taking on the directing duties of this film project?