The official poster for Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut, Coriolanus, has at last been revealed. (There had been early versions all the way back to May of 2010.) This one comes from The Weinstein Company. Now that’s a freakin’ poster! Fiennes as Coriolanus in a face off with arch enemy Tullus Aufidius played by Gerard Butler.

The full synopsis (taken from the play): The people of Rome are hungry-they can’t afford to eat and there is widespread rioting. Their anger and resentment turns on Caius Martius, Rome’s most powerful general, who despises the people he serves.

At the same time, Rome is at war with Volsces, a neighboring state, and led by Caius Martius’ sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius. When Caius captures the Volscian city of Corioles  and the Volscian army is defeated, he is named Coriolanus in honor of his victory and given a hero’s welcome back in Rome.

Coriolanus’ mother Volumnia, who has instilled in him a strict martial code of honor wants him to become a Consul of Rome-an elected post in the Senate. In order to secure the election, Coriolanus must win the support of the people. Though a great warrior, he is loathe to engage in the politicking and currying of favor that he sees as artificial and a complete contradiction of his personal code. The Tribunes, the elected representatives of the people, persuade the masses that they should renege on their votes and refuse Coriolanus the office of Consul. Coriolanus is enraged and his vocal aggression leads to a major riot after which he is banished from Rome.

He ends up in the Volscian capital, Antium and seeks out Aufidius and offers either his life or his services against Rome. Aufidius must choose between the chance to use Coriolanus and become his comrade-in-arms to defeat Rome or kill his life-long rival .

Written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, The Last Samurai, Rango, Hugo and Bond 23) Coriolanus boasts, in addition to Fiennes and Butler, the uber-talented Vanessa Redgrave as Volumni, Jessica Chastain as Coriolanus’ wife Virgilia, Brian Cox as Menenius and James Nesbitt as Sicinius.

Coriolanus will get an awards hungry  limited U.S. release on December 2nd. the U.K. release is set for 20 January, 2012.