Lauria plays the role of Dolan in the film, which also stars Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Sarah Paulson, Paz Vega and Jaime King with Scarlett Johansson as Silken Floss and Samuel L. Jackson as The Octopus.
Based on the comic book series created by Will Eisner, "The Spirit" was written for the screen and directed by Frank Miller. Odd Lot Entertainment and Lionsgate produced the film.
"The Spirit," according to press notes, is the story of "a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he's going to wipe out Spirit's beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality. The Spirit tracks this cold-hearted killer from Central City's rundown warehouses, to the damp catacombs, to the windswept waterfront ... all the while facing a bevy of beautiful women who either want to seduce, love or kill our masked crusader. Surrounding him at every turn are Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), the whip-smart girl-next-door; Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), a punk secretary and frigid vixen; Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega), a murderous French nightclub dancer; Lorelei (Jaime King), a phantom siren; and Morgenstern (Stana Katic), a sexy young cop. Then of course, there's Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), the jewel thief with dangerous curves. She's the love of his life turned bad. Will he save her or will she kill him?"
Dan Lauria has appeared at the George Street Playhouse in The Value of Names, Inspecting Carol and The Winning Streak. His other theatrical credits include The Stone Carver, Hearts, The Price, Men with Suits, The Guys, Ears on a Beatle and Leading Ladies. Lauria's screen credits also include "One Life to Live," "CSI," "The Ghost Whisperer," "ER," " The Bronx Is Burning," "Law and Order SVU," "Independence Day," "Stakeout" and "Big Momma Two."