Jonathan Rhys Meyers Cast as British Explorer Sir James Brooke in Upcoming Biopic

Jonathan Rhys Meyers has joined the cast of a period biopic following the life of British explorer Sir James Brooke.

The 42-year-old actor will take the lead in the film, titled Rajah, according to THR.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Jonathan Rhys Meyers

The movie will chronicle James‘ life as he “escaped romantic scandal and the confines of Victorian society to explore the wildlife of 1840s Borneo.”

Over the course of his life he fought “pirates and the Sultan’s enemies to win a crown as Rajah of Sarawak, where he ruled a jungle kingdom larger than England.” He led a crusade against piracy, slavery and headhunting and was eventually knighted by Queen Victoria for his bravery.

James later “defied England when the British Empire tried to colonize Sarawak” and “in reprisal, Parliament tried him for murder and piracy himself.”

Josie Ho and Dominic Monaghan will also star in the indie flick.