Focus Features Re-titles THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH to Simply THE EAGLE

Focus Features has also abbreviated the title of Kevin Macdonald’s Roman epic adventure from The Eagle of the Ninth to The Eagle.  I suppose they were worried that people might think the movie was about baseball.  Now they can worry that people will think it’s about America.  The film is actually about a Roman centurion (played by Channing Tatum) who goes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the Roman Ninth Legion.  The film is still set to open on February 25, 2011.  Hit the jump for the official synopsis.  Click here for Focus’ previously announced release dates for its other upcoming films.

The Eagle (formerly The Eagle of the Ninth)

Story: A Roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (played by Channing Tatum of “G.I.  Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “Dear John”) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell of “Defiance” and “Jumper”), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

Director: Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “State of Play,” “One Day in September”)

Writers: Jeremy Brock (“The Last King of Scotland”); Based on the novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim

MPAA Rating: PG-13