PHOTOS: Kirk Douglas: Photos From the 'Spartacus' Set

Kellan Lutz is playing the title character in Nu Image/Millennium’s big-budget take on the Greek demigod, which is competing with a Hercules movie being made by Paramount and MGM that stars Dwayne Johnson.

Harlin’s Hercules, budgeted at $70 million, is aiming to shoot May in Bulgaria.

McIntyre will play a young army captain who becomes Hercules’ most trusted battlefield companion. After an evil king deceives them, Hercules and the captain are sold into slavery and must fight side by side to earn their freedom.

Harlin had nothing but praise for his new castmember: “He's infinitely entertaining to watch. I am lucky to have him play military commander, Sotiris, Hercules' best friend. Their relationship begins antagonistic and develops into a close bond, forged in battle."

Producing are Les Welden and Danny Lerner. Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, John Thompson and Boaz Davidson are executive producing.

STORY: 'Spartacus' Star Liam McIntyre Describes What He Took From Andy Whitfield's Performance

Sean Hood, Harlin and Steve Giulio wrote the script.

The casting is a major move for McIntyre as it marks the first Hollywood feature for the Australian actor. It’s also his first move since concluding his starring run on Spartacus, on which he took over after the late Andy Whitfield, the original Spartacus, was diagnosed with cancer.

The actor, who just relocated to Los Angeles from Spartacus' New Zealand set, is repped in the U.S. by Progressive Artists and in Australia by RGM.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com

Twitter: @borys_kit