Actor Liam Neeson is to star in Clash of the Titans, his first film since the death of his wife, Natasha Richardson.

The 56-year-old will play king of the gods Zeus in the film, which begins shooting later this month in Britain, Warner Bros have confirmed.

Neeson will be reunited with Ralph Fiennes for their first film since 1993 Oscar winner Schindler's List.

Actress Natasha Richardson died at the age of 45 last month following a skiing accident at a resort in Canada. Neeson, who was born in Ballymena, had signed up for the film before Richardson was injured.

He has recently completed work on the film Chloe, having interrupting filming when Richardson was taken ill.

The actor's most recent screen outing, the thriller Taken, was a box office hit in both the US, taking $140m (€105m). It was also a success in the UK.

Clash of the Titans is a new version of the 1981 mythological epic that starred Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith. Fiennes will play Hades, who lost out to his brother Zeus and was resigned to becoming god of the underworld.

French film-maker Louis Letterier, whose other credits include The Incredible Hulk, will direct the film, which is due out next year.