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Ben Barnes to shine as Dorian Gray

Prince Caspian actor joins Ealing adaptation

By Stuart Kemp
May 18, 2008, 12:51 PM ET



CANNES -- Ben Barnes, currently on screens as Prince Caspian, will lay down his sword after being cast to play Oscar Wilde's iconic character Dorian Gray in an adaptation of the author's novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

Producer Barnaby Thompson and director Oliver Parker, who previously teamed to make "An Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" and most recently co-directed "St. Trinian's" will make "Dorian Gray" at the end of July this year.

Thompson will produce through his Fragile Films label, now owned by Ealing Studios, with Parker helming. Producer and director Thompson said Parker is planning to make a visceral, dark horror story and says the themes of stardom are as relevant as ever.