By Zorianna Kit
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Robert Duvall has joined the cast of the feature film "Gods and Generals" for writer-director Ron Maxwell. The project is an independently financed big-screen prequel to Maxwell's 1993 Civil War cable telefilm "Gettysburg" for TNT. It begins shooting Aug. 28 in Lexington, Va.
Maxwell adapted the screenplay of "Gods," based on Jeff Sharaa's book of the same name. Sharaa's father Michael wrote the novel "The Killer Angels," upon which "Gettysburg" is based.
Jeff Daniels, C. Thomas Howell and Tom Berenger, who starred in "Gettysburg," are among those reprising their roles for "Gods." Duvall will play Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Maxwell also is producing the project. Robert Katz, Moctesuma Esparza, Robert Rehme, Nick Grillo and Mace Neufeld are executive producing. Ted Turner is financing the project, sources said. A domestic distributor is expected to come aboard shortly.
Duvall, repped in the deal by his manager Rob Carliner, next stars in New Line Cinema's "John Q." He recently wrapped the MGM feature "Assassination Tango," which he directed and in which he stars. Duvall took home a best actor Oscar for his role in 1983's "Tender Mercies."
More entertainment industry news at The Hollywood Reporter Online