While news of the upcoming Conan film is largely nonexistent outside of discouraging rumours, updates regarding the other big Howard film are more concrete. Michael J. Bassett’s Solomon Kane will make its world premier at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as a panel at the San Diego Comic Con. Mr Bassett has been kind enough to frequent the official Robert E. Howard forums with updates and snippets to appease eager Kane fans.

My expectations for the film on a purist level are, ultimately, not high. What I’ve read of Mr Bassett’s interpretation of Solomon Kane does not square with my own, and I’m not a fan of gratuitous origin stories. That said, as with Conan the Barbarian, separating it from the source material means it can be judged on its own, and with that in mind, it really looks like it could be the best Sword-and-Sorcery film in years. Purefoy is a tremendous actor, and the presence of the legendary Max von Sydow is always something I relish. Mr Bassett is also extremely eager to communicate with the fanbase, particularly at the official Robert E. Howard forums, which is very generous and worthwhile of him. The “sword” parts look violent and gritty, and the “sorcery” elements dark and menacing. It might not be the Solomon Kane film I’m looking for, but on its own merits, it looks very exciting.

Most importantly, in the ensuing buzz and excitement, the film will undoubtedly spark interest in Robert E. Howard, and hopefully educate people that Howard was the creator of more than just the Conan tales. Who knows, perhaps it could boost Solomon Kane’s presence into the upper echelons of pop culture that is currently the domain of Conan. That, at least, is worth being excited about.