Weisz, Minghella join Amenabar's 'Agora'

Sipa Press/Rex Features

Rachel Weisz and Max Minghella are to star in Agora, the next English language film from Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, reports Variety.

The film, an Ancient Egyptian epic, centres on Weisz's astrologer-philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria and her slave lover Davus (Minghella).

Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom, Michael Lonsdale, Rupert Evans and Homayoun Ershadi have also joined the cast.

Amenabar will write and direct Agora, which begins production in Malta next week.

"We want the audience to see, feel and smell a remote civilization as if it were as real as the present day," Amenabar said.

Oscar winner Weisz added: "Amenabar has written an epic, passionate tale about one woman's relentless pursuit of truth."

Amenabar has previously directed the Nicole Kidman horror film The Other and the critically acclaimed Spanish film Abre los ojos, which was later remade as Vanilla Sky.