Red Faction film cast revealed

"Transmedia" has been a popular buzz word at recently rebranded THQ after the publisher announced in April 2010 that it would be partnering with the SyFy Network on a made-for-TV film based on the Red Faction property. Titled Red Faction: Origins, the film and its game accompaniment, Red Faction: Armageddon, are both due in May, and THQ and SyFy today announced the two-hour live-action film's official cast.

Leading the cast is Robert Patrick (Terminator 2, Double Dragon), who assumes the role of Red Faction: Guerrilla protagonist Alec Mason, 25 years after the events portrayed in that game and 12 years since his enemies murdered his wife, Lyra (Tamzin Merchant, The Tudors). In fact, Red Faction: Origins is set between the events of Guerrilla and the upcoming Armageddon.

Brian J. Smith (Stargate Universe) will star as Alec's son, Jake, who is an officer in the Red Faction Militia. As the story goes, Jake learns that his sister, who was kidnapped 12 years prior, is not only alive, but also a member of a powerful invading force.

THQ and SyFy did not provide roles for the additional cast, but it did offer names. Gamers can expect to see Kate Vernon (Battlestar Galactica), Danielle Nicolet (The Starter Wife), Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood), and Devon Graye (Dexter) playing various roles in the film.

Peabody Award-winning director Michael Nankin (Caprica, Battlestar Galactica) will helm Red Faction: Origins. The script is being penned by Andrew Kreisberg (Warehouse 13). THQ director of fiction development Paul DeMeo (The Rocketeer, The Flash) created the story. Production is slated to begin in Bulgaria this week in advance of May's SyFy premiere.

For more on Red Faction: Armageddon, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.