Michael Apted, veteran director of films like "Gorky Park," "Thunderheart," "Blink," "Nell," and "Enough," will soon step behind the cameras on "Amazing Grace," an 18th-century tale of anti-slavery activist William Wilberforce. And he's building up quite an impressive cast for this project, too.

Says The Hollywood Reporter: "Romola Garai, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell have joined the cast of Michael Apted's "Amazing Grace," producers said Tuesday. The trio joins a burgeoning cast for the Walden Media movie that is toplined by Ioan Gruffudd as British anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce and Albert Finney as Wilberforce's confidante John Newton. Shooting began this week on the movie that follows Wilberforce's 18th century political career, which placed him at odds with some of the most powerful men of the time, including the king."