James Purefoy signs on to V for Vendetta

James Purefoy has signed on to play the title character in V for Vendetta with Natalie Portman ( yowza ) Set in the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, "V" (a freedom fighter) uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally.

"V For Vendetta" stars Natalie Portman as the young woman who becomes the unlikely ally of the mysterious revolutionary. The screenplay by Andy and Larry Wachowski is based on the acclaimed graphic novel "V For Vendetta" by author Alan Moore and illustrator David Lloyd. Originally collected by DC Comics as a ten-part series in 1988, V For Vendetta has been praised for its vision, potency and eloquence.

The movie will be produced by Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski, and directed by James McTeigue, who served as the First Assistant Director on the "Matrix" Trilogy.