Seriously, how has FX not picked this up to series yet? Guillermo del Toro certainly has much to prove at the box office this weekend with the release of 'Pacific Rim,' but his upcoming FX pilot adaptation of 'The Strain' is proving monstrous in its own right. 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Goonies' star Sean Astin is the latest high-profile star to join the cast, but will he prove friend or foe?

According to The Hollywood Reporter and Carlton Cuse's Twitter announcement, Astin will take the regular role of Jim Kent, a savvy and trustworthy political operative of the "Canary Group" and best friends with protagonist Ephraim "Eph" Goodweather (Corey Stoll) and Nora (Mia Maestro). Jim unknowingly betrays the friendship when he is coerced into releasing a quarantined cabinet that contains a potentially deadly virus. Ultimately, the character confesses he had embezzled CDC funds to help pay for his and his girlfriend's in vitro-fertilization treatments.

‘The Strain’ follows Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather, a CDC operative who investigates a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers wage war for the fate of humanity itself. Also present among the cast are 'Hellboy' and 'Doctor Who' star John Hurt, Lauren Lee Smith, Miguel Gomez, Kevin Durand (‘LOST‘), Jonathan Hyde (‘The Mummy’) and Richard Sammel (‘Inglorious Basterds’).

Former ‘LOST’ and current ‘Bates Motel‘ showrunner Carlton Cuse will helm FX’s adaptation, from a screenplay by del Toro and novel co-writer Michael Hogan. Hogan and Gary Ungar will also serve as executive producers. As previously mentioned, FX has yet to issue a series order for the buzzworthy adaptation, despite the impressive pedigree of its cast and crew.

Well, what say you? Does Sean Astin’s casting put your interest over the edge to catch ‘The Strain’ on FX? What do you hope to see from the series when production begins in Toronto this September?

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