Dubai-based Barajoun Entertainment has landed another Hollywood star for its upcoming Islamic-themed animated feature "Bilal," with Briton Ian McShane signing on to play a villain in the upcoming release.
McShane, best-known for his role as Blackbeard in the blockbuster "Pirates of the Carribean" series of movies, will voice greedy and power-hungry merchant Umayya.
"McShane added a very unique … complexity to Umayya's character, a dynamic villain with a high ego," Bilal producer Ayman Jamal told Hollywood Reporter .
"Bilal," which tells the story of Bilal ibn Rabah, who after being born into slavery became a trusted companion of the Prophet Mohammed, is set for release by the end of this year.
McShane is joining a cast lead by Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje as Bilal and Cynthia McWilliams as Bilal's mother.
McWilliams has mainly played supporting roles on American TV series, including a run on Fox's popular series "Prison Break."
Barajoun has landed an impressive cast so far for what is its, and the Middle East's, first full-length animated feature.
The release of the trailer in February set of a wave of excitement about the idea of a movie portraying a Muslim hero .
The trailer has been viewed more than a million and a half times on YouTube, and has already won praise for its potential to breakdown Hollywood stereotypes. We can't wait.
