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Conan actor rumoured and film production on the way

After a while of silence and rumours going wild on which actor would be cast to be Conan, there finally have been some news on the Conan Movie. The source of information is surprisingly not an international movie magazine, no it’s a swedish newspaper who stole some time of Fredrik Malmberg’s busy schedule to get some hints out of him.

Here are the facts that we could filter out of the interview:

  • The shooting is planned to start on the 21st of February in Bulgaria
  • The movie is still set to be released on Summer 2011
  • The production budget is set to be at least $70 000 000
  • They have been in pre production for 4 weeks now
  • They are in talks with one specific actor, who is not very famous but known in the US
  • While the plot will differ from the previous Conan the Barbarian, it will still be a revenge story

The shooting has obviously been pushed from August to February, by whatever reason. The budget has dropped from $100 Million to $70 Million i guess due to financial crisis and all studios not wanting to spend the big cash anymore. We will have to see what the quality of the movie will be, if they only have 6 months of pre-production for the movie, since most major historical piece movies or fantasy movies had at least a year or more to handle the massive amount of things to plan and produce.

The plot will still be a revenge story, which clearly hints at the O/D script and the whole “Conan the Barbarian” style “my parents are all dead and i will go on a lifetime of revenge”-plot kind of thing which sadly does not reflect Robert E. Howard’s Conan in the least, but we will see what kind of adjustments have been made to the October 08 version of the script that was leaked into the public.

Now on to the rumours abounding the actor they are in the talks with. Some source that is unknown has spread the rumour that US-American actor pretty-face Jared Padalecki is the present favorite pick. Make what you want of that.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am and is filed under Conan Movie Rumours, Official Conan Movie News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • norse_sage

    Glad to hear some solid news, even if not all are equally good.

    I for one am not surprised that the shoot has been pushed back, as they probably didn’t have time to have everything ready for the original 25th of August star date, given that Nispel only came aboard a few months prior to that. As such, I am glad that the shoot has been pushed back. Preproduction for a movie this scale should not be rushed more than srictly necessarily.

    About the budget, I am not worried. On the contrary, I am actually relieved. With a movie in the 100 mill + budget range, it would be very tempting for one specific exec producer who shall remain nameless to manadate a PG-13 on this. This nameless producer has stated regret that “Rambo” wasn’t toned down to PG-13, and mandated that both “The Expandables” and “Rambo V” be PG-13, so I would not be surprised if he would want PG-13 for this.

    Beyond that, reducing the budget to the 70 mill range will not only increasy the likelyhood of sequels by way of lowering the minimum gross this needs to perform at the worldwide B.O, with it also reduces risk and as such greatly increases the odds that Conan will be the hard R it needs to be – I do not take that as a given with a 100 mill + movie. They can still make an incredible movie for 70 mill, IF the script is up to it. And that is what has me worried here.

    Regarding the casting rumour of Jared Paladecki…
    I must say that of all the rumours doing the rounds so far, this is the one I like the most, or rather dislike the least. I’ll take Jared for Conan anyday over Kickinger or HHH. He can act, he has a suitable basic build that can be developed further with onths of intenisve exercise and juice, but he is a bit on pretty side and I’m not sure if he can pull off Conan’s commanding presence. Fingers crossed that he blew everyone away in the casting sessions none of us were privvy to witnessing.

    But I do get the impression they have taken the easy way out, which is a tad disappointing. I was hoping they would see thousands of actors around the world, like other studios have done in nailing the perfect cast for pivotal roles such as the new Captain Kirk among others – but here they seem to have settled for someone Nispel worked with in his previous movie. While Jared is better than many of the names suggested by random people on the web, there are no doubt many others who would be much better as Conan than him, had the studio bothered to try finding them.

  • http://www.ageofconan.com Waldgeist

    Best example was the open casting call for The Golden Compass. No matter if the american audience didn’t like that movie (the rest of the world did), the lead girl was brilliant and she was the result of an open casting call.

    I think an open casting call is the right way to go, so they can really get someone who is NATURALLY like Conan and not some pretty-face US actor like Jared.

  • Kortoso

    Agreed. Even if the casting is a foregone conclusion, an open casting call can be good publicity.

  • ralf
  • Thomas

    I dont mind the lowered budget either, I think it will do allot to hopefully keep the movie real. Regarding the acton Jared Paladecki, I think he is not a bad face for a young Conan. He has a square jaw, and with a bit more wieght it could work. With shooting in Bulgaria… im assuming to represent Cimmeria, it would mean they are doing a young conan story, which is fine. there is less source material on the young Conan than there is on the older Conans travels south into Shem, Ophir, Stygia, Koth, Turan etc… I think they did this to give them more flexibility with the plot and charachters. There better not be any damned Vanir or Aesir raiders that look like they walked off the set of pathfinder though! There are definatly still rules that should be followed for a young Conan. Nispel and Co would do well to start reading the REH stories, look up the large volume of comic material(savage sword of conan omnibus’s), and illustrated novels to get the look and feel right.

    I would be curious to know also if it is young Conan revenge story, are they going to do the sack of Vanerium?

  • Adtje

    They will screw this one up..! BIG TIME..!
    I don’t think this movie has a chance to blow up the box office..
    Summmer of 2011, is going to be crazy with tf 3, spidey 4, thor, pirates 4 etc…..
    I’m afraid the real conan fans will be very dissapointed, and that this will be the last of conan on screen..

    Fingers crossed..

    Mr. Nispel and Co please don’t screw this one up..!

  • STEFAN

    Jared?
    Are they insane?
    I hope this isnt true.

  • norse_sage

    Jared is hardly the top of anyones short list, but to be fair, they could do worse than him. Much worse.

    HHH or Roland Kickinger for instance would be insane.
    Jared just leaves some to be desired.

    The biggest problem with Jared for a younger Conan is that he is too pretty – but I think a good, hard punch in the face would remedy that problem at least somewhat.
    Any volunteers?

  • STEFAN

    Ha,ha,Norse,good thinking.

  • theholygoalie

    I’m hoping that perhaps Dominic Monaghan of Prison Break will play Conan. He’s already a big guy and perhaps needs to add a few pounds of muscle

  • Barbarian

    original articale

    HOLLYWOOD. Ett svenskt företag med säte i Hollywood sparkar liv i ”Conan” igen.

    Den 21 februari nästa år drar inspelningen igång.

    Projektet går loss på minst en halv miljard kronor.

    – Det är mycket pengar. Men vi hoppas kunna göra det här till en lönsam franchise. Målet är att göra tre filmer, säger Fredrik Malmberg, vd på företaget Paradox som står bakom satsningen.

    Sedan tre veckor tillbaka pågår inspelningsförberedelserna. Men rollen som Conan är inte tillsatt än.
    Ingen bodybuilder

    – Vi har en kille på gång. Mer kan jag inte avslöja just nu, säger Malmberg när han möter Nöjesbladet i Beverly Hills.

    Är han känd?

    – Det är ingen superkändis. I Sverige tvivlar jag på att det stora flertalet känner till honom. Här vet man säkert vem han är.

    Vad har ni haft för kriterier?

    – Vi har inte sökt någon bodybuilder. Men även om storyn skiljer sig helt från originalet är det fortfarande en hämndberättelse. Det måste vara någon som kan spela barbar.
    Spelas in i Bulgarien

    Att få till en nyinspelning av filmen som i början av 1980-talet gjorde Arnold Schwarzenegger till actionstjärna har enligt Malmberg varit svårare än väntat. Redan 2002 köpte Paradox alla rättigheter till Conan. Då såg det ut som om Warner skulle göra filmen tillsammans med det svenska bolaget. Men när inget hänt 2007 bröt Malmberg samarbetet och gick till Lionsgate. Efter det väntade han sex månader på att regissören Brett Ratner skulle tacka ja.

    – Men vi kunde aldrig få ett slutgiltigt löfte.

    Nu har jobbet gått till Marcus Nispel (”Friday the 13th”, ”The Texas chainsaw massacre”).

    Under tolv veckor ska filmen spelas in i Bulgarien.

    – Premiären planeras till sommaren 2011, säger Malmberg.
    Magnus Su
    rough translation
    HOLLYWOOD. A Swedish company with its head office in Hollywood kicks life in “Conan” again.

    On 21 February of next year draws recording started.

    The project is loss of at least half a billion SEK.

    – It is very money. But we hope to do this to a profitable franchise. The aim is to make three films, “says Fredrik Malmberg, President and CEO of the company paradox which are behind bet.

    Since three weeks been underway inspelningsförberedelserna. But role as Conan is not added than.
    No bodybuilder

    – we have a guy at once. More, I cannot reveal precisely now, “says Malmberg as he faces Nöjesbladet in Landmarks Hills.

    Is he known?

    – There is no superkändis. In Sweden I doubt that the vast majority are aware of him. Here know perfectly well who he is.

    What do you have had for criteria?

    – We have not sought any bodybuilder. But even if the story totally different from the original, it is still a hämndberättelse. It must be someone who can play barbar.
    Recorded in Bulgaria

    to obtain a remake of the movie at the beginning of the 1980s did Arnold Schwarzenegger to actionstjärna has under Malmberg have been more difficult than expected. Already in 2002 bought paradox all rights to Conan. Then, it looked as if Warner would make film together with the Swedish company. But when nothing has happened 2007 broke Malmberg cooperation and went to supporters. After the expected he six months to director broad Ratner would like to thank yes.

    – But we could never have a final promise.

    Now has gone to job Marcus Nispel (” Friday the et “,” The Texas Chainsaw massacre “).

    During the twelve weeks shall film are recorded in Bulgaria.

    – SHOWING is scheduled for summer 2011, “says Malmberg.
    Magnus Su
    no actors name were mention only that they had someone in mind.

  • jake

    Padalecki can’t do it because of supernatural, but if he were Conan, then the acting is covered, and you’ll only have to worry about the storyline. The guy can do anything and is wasting his talent playing the good boy in supernatural.

    Watch the 3 last episodes of season 4, his character was a wild demon blood junkie in those episodes (btw, don’t waste your time watching season 5, Padalecki is great, but because of the pressure of the female fans that want the two brothers crying and working together, his character is again the cute, sensitive boy he was before season4).

    I heard that Nispel wants to do something between gladiator and the lord of the rings, with Padalecki, that would be a blockbuster.

  • Mikey

    Conan The Barbarian was poetry.A poetic piece about barbaric times.Arnold acted it perfectly,just enough simplicity of anger,revenge,love & superstitions not to drag our minds out of the movie & judge everything by today’s or even early 80′s standards.Manly men doing manly tings,in manly times with no therapist or care-giver in sight.I’ve only recently found this movie again & can say 30 year on it still holds its own compared to the crap produced today,geared towards money making instead of story telling.If the story’s good it’ll make longer lasting money.Simple rule !So Nispel…please give us abundent Epic story telling scenes,so we at least give a sh*t about the characters!…and don’t lose steam & throw it all away in mindlessness in the last 15 minutes like every movie thats made these days !.Heres to hoping !!

  • Mikey

    norse_sage I agree…Roland Kickinger should be Conan.

  • imaluvjerry

    With Padalecki, both acting and looks is covered. Complexity of characters is also covered: Padalecki can act wild, menacing and downright scary, but at the same time compassionate and honest. Jared is smart and intelligent and it shows in his face. He can add the “intelligent” look on Conan. He is also downright sexy. I think the “then” sequence of some of supernatural episode of season 4 can cover Jared’s turn as alphamale character.
    Jared IS NOT pretty, he is stunning, sometimes he looks so beautiful ( Sam Winchester in Supernatural, but sometimes he can look disheveled or like someone who just got out of bed ( Clay, Friday 13th).

  • http://gormaghast@comcast.net Tyrus

    This SUCKS!

  • STEFAN

    Jared looks like gay model,or a singer of boy band.
    It doesnt matter how good actor he is.

  • Adtje

    Roland Kikcinger is the man…!!
    He has an great carisma and strenght..
    His body is well build, i really think with some acting lessons, he can pull this of..

    And i also think JARED looks like a gay..

  • *bright

    Too pretty?

    I want Jared out of his current show like now but reading this? I so don’t want him to play anything associated with Ah’nuld.
    And if the build and looks are the most important criteria for this role, please Jared no!

    Jared is a terrific actor who can do anything so he’d be sorely wasting his talent on this role if it just takes flexing muscles and looking ‘not gay’ and ‘barbaric’. Sheesh!

  • *bright

    Oops, there was a gif included, guess this site doesn’t hold html so I’ll just paste the url so you can see how not ‘pretteh’ he can be

    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/Starbright73/SPN/Junkie_Sam.gif

  • norse_sage

    Mikey, if you read my post again, you will find that I absolutely do NOT want Roland Kickinger for Conan. He would be the fourth worst Conan on the planet, beaten to the punch only by HHH and The Rock.

    Bright, for all it’s virtues as a standalone movie, the 1982 movie called “Conan the Barbarian” (ironic, since the lead character, a freed slave, by definition is NOT a barbarian) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is not at all representative of the literary Conan save the name. The literary Conan (so far never seen on screen) is a deep, intelligent and multilayered character which it will take a very skilled actor to do justice on screen.

  • imaluvjerry

    One thing for sure Jared padalecki is looking too BRAINY for the description of Conan some fans mentions here. Seriously, we Jared fans, will be terrified if Conan is something like this. We are not familiar with Conan but we do know Jared’s works and he has been constant about talent and never muscle. The boy didn’t even have topless photoshoot that newbie always posed during their hungry years. Is this muscly enough for you?

    http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af307/goodness_gracious/jp%20as%20conan/spn217_1150.jpg

    Norse_Sage, your description of Conan make me hopeful because the imagination of Jared’s 10 years work erased by Arnold Conan level movie is terrifying.No wonder Jared is still thinking it. I think we will get these rumour clear up in the upcoming Jared’s appearance at Supernatural convention this november

  • Jeffro46

    I hate to say it, but someone like Jared can’t pull off Conan, so I really hope they don’t pick him, and I hope this is just some weird internet rumour. If they do a new Conan movie, it has to be gritty and definitely NOT the blonde-haired version of a stupid surfer that Arnold played that spent his entire teen years pushing some wheel, and basically starting his career as a retarded adult — Conan was fairly smart, though moreso in a ‘real world’, common-sense fashion that he earned over years of learning as he survived. Conan needs to be a strong, large man, very tough as nails, and scarred from years of battle. Hell, the guy was fighting picts at an age most kids are still hunting for white-heads. Although I’m adamant that Jared doesn’t play him for the previous reasons, I seriously hope they DON’T pick an Arnold clone, because that nostalgia will wear off real fast after about 3 sentences of dialogue.

  • Hobie

    All you people who remember the Arnold movie’s need to keep in mind a few points. Arnold is/was not Conan. Conan is the Conan found in the written word and drawn panel. A problem is that we have a slew of people who were young teens when the movie came out. Many of them had never read a REH book or a Marvel comic rendition of Conan. This resulted in their associating Arnold with the character of Conan, and by extension all these years later thinking that whoever is cast needs to fill Arnold’s shoes. NOT true. They need to fill Coonans shoes – something ironically that Arnold didn’t do in the first place.

    Conan was not a massive man. He was referred to as big, true, but his main attribute was quickness – speed. He was often described as moving “panther-like”, something men the size of Arnold find difficult. Robert H Howard never specifically described Coonans height and weight. However, he did say that Conan and Cormac Fitzgeoffrey, another of his characters, were “physical doubles” at 210 lbs. and 6’2”. Hell, I’m bigger than that. Point is, he’s not Hercules, he’s Conan.

    Above and beyond the story or actor, the movie needs to get Coonans character right. He was an outsider. He was downright mean – an anti-hero. He had disdain for so called “civilization” and had his own code of ethics. He was a thief, outlaw, pirate and later a brilliant war strategist (let a lone King). His will and refusal to give up, along with an apparent near fearlessness are central to who he is. Think of a starving pit-bull coming after you. You would have to kill it to stop it. None of what I just wrote in this paragraph was portrayed by Arnold. Take this: In CTB, Arnold (as Conan) is captured at Thulsa’s lair. You remember it. He had just beaten up a guy and took his white robes. Soon he’s discovered by followers as an imposter. They beat Conan up. He’s bloodied and on the ground. To get information from him they step on his hand. Conan screams and wails in pain like a child with a skinned knee. THAT is NOT what Conan would do. Conan would respond, “When I get my chance you’ll be hanging from my sword, dog.” And promptly spit on someone. Script writers? Please, if you keep nothing else in mind here, try to remember this: In a few short years of Coonans wandering, he became so feared that when he showed up at some brand new location, many times people recognized his name and steered clear. In other words, his reputation preceded him. When you write, think ‘I’m writing about a person that would be absolutely last on my list to get pissed off at me. I would rather have Tyson and the top five MMA fighters looking for me than Conan.’

  • *bright

    I agree with imaluvjerry o the brainy thing. But I have no doubt Jared would pull off a character like the one Norse_Sage decribes as the young Conan.
    Plus, he’s been aching to play the bad guy for a long time and Supernatural’s showrunner just lets him flex his wings a little at the time because he knocks the satanic (literally) characters out of the park and fandom wants a cute show with clearly defined good and bad characters.

    Jared’s been itching to do a role like this, and he’s shown he’s capable of it on multiple occasions. And that’s what I am afraid of! If he’s really been offered the role, he’d kick it out of the park but I doubt he’d even be interested in playing a one-layered character.

    I did read up on Conan on Wikipedia, (yes, yes I know) but the whole concept of black eyed ,muscular topdog who speaks 15 languages just screams of a Marty Stu.

    I think I need to catch up on the source material but I have a feeling that this character is something of a male ideal-ego that does not have very much appeal, at least not to me. I hope I am wrong and the character is more because if Jared has the lead, I will go watch it, even if I may puke *g*

    Here’s another clip of Jared in action a the badass http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d134/Starbright73/SPN/502_brawl.gif

    is he intimidating, hell yeah, more so than Ah’nuld ever was with all his Belgian Blue muscle-pack. People that are interested in watching Jared do intimidating should watch Supernatural’s Born under a Bad Sign, Sex and Violence or even Lucifer Rising. Of these, I do rec. BUaBS because that performance is stellar.

    Can Jared do it? Without a oubt! Do I want him to? Nope.

  • JPad fan

    Size wise Jared has this covered. He is around 6’5″ and has bulked up for roles in the past. Its not an issue. I can understand that some are worried that he is too pretty, Jared is a beautiful looking man but I am sure make up and costuming can make him look the part. He will still be pretty, you can’t hide that this guy is gorgeous but seriously whats wrong with a good looking Conan? Jared can do this role, if given the chance, he is a great actor. I just doubt that anything will come of these rumors though as he has commitments to Supernatural.

  • JPad fan

    Now see, this guy looks manly enough to play Conan to me.

    http://celebrity-pics.movieeye.com/celebrity_pictures/Jared_Padalecki_47345.jpg

  • STEFAN

    Jefro46 and Hobie,great posts!

  • Hobie

    Thanks STEFAN

  • http://gormaghast@comcast.net Tyrus

    He’s about as manly as Madonna with here shirt off and he has no coordination when fighting. But that from what you have shown there in your posts never really seen this guy before not a fan of supernatural. That’s why I don’t post anything on the supernatural site.
    I am a Conan fan, have been since I was a Little boy just like many of the people on this post. and there’s a certain way Conan looks and acts to us, and this Jared guy doesn’t have it. ( in my opinion)

  • STEFAN

    The best suggestion so far is Noah Danby.
    But I still think open cast is the best way to found some unknown guy who looks like Conan from comic books.
    It is almost mission impossible to found a guy who looks like Conan and who can act.So I would choose appearance over acting talent.

  • JPad fan

    Stephan is that a typo? You would choose appearance over acting talent? If thats how the producers go then this is one movie I would not bother seeing. Hey maybe you prefer this guy to Jared.

    http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?t=21619

    Apparently he is being considered for the role. Seriously?

    If whoever they pick can act then it doesn’t matter that he does not look exactly right, they can make him look the part.

  • imaluvjerry

    LOL at JPad. Noah guy is generic Generation Kill clones that easily forgettable. I prefer Madonna thank you very much. Beauty IS never obstacle. But yes, while I do admit that Jared is beautiful, in fact I think he is the most stunningly beautiful TV Guy today, but he is not the beautiful ALL THE TIME.

    The boy can look like slob:
    http://www.hollywoodtreatment.net/blog/?p=8803

    The picture that JPad post IS NEVER my walpaper.But this: beautiful,cute, adorable, engaging, thoughtful
    http://caps.oxoniensis.org/caps/spn/302/spn3027.html

    The thing that Conan fans should be worried about is :script, script, script, costume ( I hope it will not be loincloth), and hair. I hope Jared Conan to have Sam winchester hair so that 2011 Conan is Slimmed, stylish, beautiful Conan.

  • norse_sage

    Someone who looks the part would be awesome, bot NOT at expense of acting the part. Absoutely not.

    Doesn’t matter how much an “actor” (and I use the term loosely) looks like the comic image of Conan if he can’t pull of Conan’s charisma, pride, dominance and overall convinicingly portray Conan.

    I will happily sacrifice at least some level of bulk physical resemblence (but obviously not too much) in favour of someone who can pull off all parts of Conan’s personae. That is more important.

  • mikoza

    Why not make him complete CGI, like Beowulf? That way we can finally get Frazetta looking Conan :-) .

  • STEFAN

    I already said,of course it would be ideal to find someone who has a face of Conan from comic books(Buscema,De Zuniga,Alcala or Frazetta) and who can act, but unfortunately you cant have em both.
    You can choose De Niro or Al Pacino to pull off all parts of Conans character,but still it woudnt be Conan.
    The best test for new Conan should be the first impression of true fans after we saw who was chosen for the part.
    If we react like:-”Well,its not bad”, or “This guy would be OK,he can pull it off”,that would be best proof that their choice was wrong.
    For true Conan our reaction must be: “By Chrome,this is Conan!”

  • JPad fan

    “You can choose De Niro or Al Pacino to pull off all parts of Conans character,but still it woudnt be Conan.”

    True, so the best thing is someone who CAN act and can look enough like him, rather than someone who looks very much like your ideal Conan (and do all ‘true’ fans agree on the perfect looking conan? Somehow I doubt it) but can’t act their way out of a paper bag. It seems a no brainer, make up, hair, costume can make him look the part, whoever is picked does not need to be the spitting image but rather be able to convey the important characteristics of Conan. Its all very well if the guy looks perfect but what about when he opens his mouth? Is he going to keep audiences engaged. Are his muscles going to get in the way of free moving, of portraying a panther like grace. It seems to me the guys face is the least important consideration.

    His build seems important yes, and if they go with Jared (doubtful due to supernatural committments) he has the height and can build the muscle. If it really only matters that the actor look the part then I hope Jared does the right thing for his career and turns this role down.

  • *bright

    Seems like the ‘original’ fans (approximately how many are there?) all have their personalized vision of Conan. Such preconceptions will never be fulfilled. Also seem that there’s a rift between the ‘old timers’ and the Ah’nuld Conan fans.

    I googled the Frazetta image and heh, good luck in finding an actor who looks like that since the figure isn’t even humanly possible. The head/body ratio of 8:1 is not even close.

    I’d say Jared will be wasting his talent if he says yes so I hope this rumor turns out to be a big hoax and if the film is made, a bodybuilder is chosen. Or even better, it’s made as a cartoon since acting seems to be the least important factor. I don’t think this is a role for a young actor that’s said to be ‘one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood’.

    If Jared has been approached and actually has said yes, (all the gods known to man forbid!) the news will not leak until mid or late Nov thanks to the producers of Supernatural wanting to keep up the interest for the November sweeps episodes.

    I’m with the rest of the JPad fans on here – no, Jared, no!

  • Fayric

    These comments are fun to read. there are Jared fans who know little or nothing of Conan. Conan fans who know little or nothing about Jared. (and also conan fans who know litle or nothing of conan;)
    I think Jared would do this part great. Conan is never described as not good loocking, in fact many women are drawn to him. Otherwise I believe most conan scholars would argee with Norse Sages descrition of Conan (in fact I believe NS to be a Conan scholar;)
    But in the end it does not matter; this is going to be Nispels movie, and if he wants Jared as Conan, I assume Nispel has a Jared-like Conan in mind. As a director he must be able to make an adaptation of the original text, both to a new medium (motion picture)and to things that make sense to a modern audience (not neccesarily straying from the original) otherwise he would do a bad job. If the more conservative Conan fans cant accept this they should stick to the text-versions.
    Me, I really enjoy both the original Conan stories and Jared.

  • STEFAN

    Jared is OK, but Justin Timberlake would be even better as Conan.

  • imaluvjerry

    I will approve Justin Timberlake if we will get to see musical conan. I hope we will get Conan’s ‘what goes around (goes around)”

  • victor

    Drasko Andjic is perfect for Conan
    Part 3. Conan The Barbarian Casting Drasko Andjic PROMO VIDEO

  • victor

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAPi1Ikcj_w
    Drasko is unknown actor from Serbia,he looks like Conan from Buscema comics.

  • norse_sage

    Andjic does have a Conan-esque look, but can he act?
    Doesn’t matter if he has bulk and a sufficiently brutish face if he can’t pull off all aspects of Conan.

    That said, I’d be all in favour of for instance a Serb cast as Conan. English with a slight Serbian accent (or Bosnian or Croation for that matter) would be swell as a “barbarous accent from the frozen north” of the Hyborian Age.

    IF *whoever* can act the part, that is.

  • victor

    Drasko is the only man on earth who looks like Conan from comics books..Kickinger is to much like Arnold and is to big…Jared on the other hand looks to pretty and skinny and no chance he can get 30lbs of muscles to february.

  • thorvald

    I think that would be ideal to Conan starring someone from the Balkan due to the most stress, the Serbian variant of English is great, sounds barbaric.Serbia and Cimeria sounds similar and it could be used in the media campaign for the film … Serbia is still a little barbarian country, no insults..and Drasko looks great

  • thorvald

    Somewhere I read that Drasko Andjic has solid acting experience, had several small roles in Serbian movies and in a music videos of few Scandinavian and Americans metal bands (Hammerfall, Simphony X,Unleashed ..)

  • Fayric

    What? Are some of you serious about Drasco? I thoght it was a cruel joke to keep bringing his name up and posting those horrible clips. Luckily they have made it clear we will not see a bodybuilder conan this time, thank crom (not that he cares).

  • McBein

    Just check the promo video of Drasko….folks I think this guy is what director Nispel needs,few days ago I tought maybe Kickinger is good choice but now I’m sure that this Serbian guy is a new age Conan!!!! Jared sucks, looks like gay…..got babie face, not even close to real Conan from Buscema or Frazetta comic books. Drasko Andjic is the man! Think everybody should check Drasko’s promo video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAPi1Ikcj_w

  • CN6

    This Drasko guy sure looks the part, has the right built and presence, but I think that “working out and posing” videos are doing little to nothing to promote him for the movie. What he SHOULD do (and that also goes for anyone else trying for this part) is to put on a long black wig and act a dialogue scene from any Howard’s Conan story, an intense one, where he would have to show power, intensity and charisma at the same tine, and THEN we could judge if he has the “right” skills. A stupid musclehead kind of Conan (like Ahnuld did) won’t work this time around, the times are changed, and so is the audience, so I hope the producers and the director to have that in mind. Its very easy to make this kind of Conan, the real challenge is to make the REAL Conan, just like Howard created. Since the easier/brainless version didn’t work in the first time, now is the right time to make the effort to bring a real Conan to the screen, and let the audience know him once and for all, specially for those that are not familiar to the character’s essence, and still think hes just a brute carrying a sword. Casting the right actor is the most important thing IMO, that will make or brake this movie.

    As for Jared, I remember my reaction when they first announced that Heath Ledger would be the next Joker. “WHAT? THAT blonde, young guy?? Oh my God, they’ll ruin it for good…” And we all know what happened. So, I’m not saying I like the idea, I still think hes a really bad, BAD choice for the part, but after Heath’s brilliant performance, I’ve learned to not prejudge anyone anymore.

  • Fayric

    The one line Drasko “acted” (the line from 300) was not Conan material in my oppinion. Also, Conan is agile and swift as well as strong: more athletic than bulky, while Drasko could not even get both feet of the ground when he was “climbing” the castle.
    The (first) movie will be about a very young Conan, and it will need an actor who is both verbal and athletic, and nothing in Draskos clips indicate he could do that part.
    Still, I would love to se him in some other part in the movie. Nispel made use of lots of big guys in Pathfinder, and the original Conan material is full of them as well;)

  • thorvald

    The public casting call is an ideal solution for the new Conan, all competitors should be sort of a line and see who is better.

  • victor

    I do not see how it is possible to judge someone’s athletic ability on several recordings, this is not World Championship in decathlon.We here talking about making a movie.This guy Drasko looks a fully capable to do the most demanding greens of director Nispel.

  • MAXIMUS germanikus

    Roland Kickinger is too old and too similar to Arnold (simpler version) Jared Padalecki is too youthful and more like a guy from a boys band than dangerous barbarian. Drasko Andjic is too unknown to me, but most looks like Conan, and I think I read somewhere that the producers are seeking the unknown. Triple H does not answer me for the role, it’s too big and ugly.

  • Valeria

    Hello everyone on this forum, I think I’m the only girl who loves Conan … and my vote goes for this Balkan Serbian Conan … guys from this area were intense http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1617886685&hiq=drasko%2Candjic&ref=search

  • imaluvjerry

    If shooting really will start at 21Feb, there’s no way gonna be public casting call. The possibility of Jared as next Conan is getting more and more possible, like 90% possible. Producer is already create “the look” both for the movie and character.I am nervous, not in million years I thought of Jared as Conan, I’m thinking him as Bourne themed movie. But God, Feb21 is very close to the time he will only be available. And I so want him to get out of his current TVShow to the point I don’t care what project he will be in. As for casting Jared, to make comparison: ten years a go NO BODY would think Matt Damon as “action spy movie star” material. But look at what he did for Bourne. Argue what you want, it is now the standard for action spy movie. The best casting for “brainless action” genre like this ( if Ahnuld is what we know)is to cast actor that convey intelligent, smart and compassion as well as charismatic. There are a lot of example of “have right look but without acting chops ” that resulted of the “product” going no where. I doubt producer will be willing to bet his 70 million on this Drasko guy, sorry.

  • SKYlight

    It is true that 70 million is a huge money, but it is true that producers take the risk with any potential Conan … I think that is impossible as the February 21 start making the film

  • Braveheart

    I would put Jared to play Conan and this Drasko guy to be the main villain, or his best friend. Do you know why the movie filmed in Bulgaria?

  • Valeria

    Check out this music video … the guy who plays leader of the Vikings and leader of Tatars is none other than Drasko Andjic.. Serbian Conan
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQrTU3oCwI0 Kiss

  • MAXIMUS germanikus

    It is really Drasko, I recognized it, look great and as a Viking, it looks powerful, and as a Tatar, a cover over one side of a face. This is a very popular heavy metal band from Norway

  • norse_sage

    Thanks for the link Valeria!
    You are not the only female Conan fan, but mind you, there aren’t many…

    I think Andjic would make a vrlo dobro Conan, and would love to see a serbian in the role – IF he has the overall talent to pull it off.

  • *bright

    Seems there’s an open casting for the movie *does happy dance* The described character doen’t need an actor of JPads caliber, no way. Seems rather one-layered this one. This movie is probably not going to be character driven but story driven; no need for actors at all, posers will do just fine.

    As soon a JPad cuts his hair (I was afraid he was growing it out to fit the role) we’re in the clear and he will not be cast.

    The Andjics dude? Oh hello Ah’nuld, you got your heir!
    At least I won’t have to suffer through this to support JPad.
    I was getting worried there for a while!

    I suppose we can bury the rumor of JPad starring now, finally. I’m relieved.

  • STEFAN

    I am glad to see so many my fellow Serbs on this blog.
    It seems that Draško launched a serious campaign.
    I saw him two weeks ago on the bus station.
    He is a big fan of Conan,I know he had plans to publish new Conan comic books in Serbia.
    Anyway,with open cast call he still has a chance to be chosen for some other role in the movie,maybe for some Cimmerian warrior.

  • norse_sage

    I’d love to see a Serb for Conan, but I am actually Norwegian.
    I wish Drasko the best of luck in publishing Conan in Serbia.

    His agent needs to get in touch with the casting director, so he’ll at least to audition.

  • MAXIMUS germanikus

    Found the music video on Youtube of the U.S. metal band Simphony X, as well as material from the recording of this music video.Drasko Andjic is leader of black angels with ax !!!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUn4jXZko5E&feature=fvst

  • Ben Richards

    Drasko mania!Skandinavian metal band Hammerfall and man who play knight with hammer is…Drasko Andjic!

  • dr M21

    So far I’ve seen a lot of proposals on many fan forums for the new Conan, but this Drasko from Serbia looks the most suitable for the role.

  • McBein

    Dude, can’t believe that somebody think that Jared can play Conan role…..like first Conan is Barbarian, so we need guy who look like, not some fagget face like Jared is!!!! Check all forums, blogs, web about Conan and who possibly can play that role…dude they try to push some models, bad actors, old bodybuilders, people with dirty history….my opinion is that we need somebody new, and that director shude give chance to Drasko….who knows maybe that Drasko not only a mountain of muscles, he got something in the eyes, face plus if he can act……He is the man!!!!!

  • JPad fan

    “so we need guy who look like, not some fagget face like Jared is!!!!”

    Wow McBein, thats real classy of you. Way to represent the conan fans.

  • victor

    We need a Conan that will be interesting to the masses of viewers who have already formed a picture in their minds, and Drasko is the solution, do not need a handsome guy like Jared..sorry..girl Jared.

  • imaluvjerry

    JPad fan its not Conan fans, its Drasko PR. I watched the clip I cant even figure out “the acting” let alone “the look”. I bet Nispel rolling on the floor laughing out loud reading this thread and think ” From Jared to this guy?Muahhaha”.Sorry.

  • http://www.ageofconan.com Waldgeist

    Please refrain from insulting anyone! And i request from the drasko fans that you please stop reposting those videos again and again. I admire you passion to promote your friend and comrade, but we have seen him already and we are not the ones giving out the roles. He should get an agent and show up on the open casting for Conan.

    Good luck to Jared and Drasko no matter who in the end will be Conan.

  • http://www.thecimmerian.com Taranaich

    “Robert H Howard never specifically described Coonans height and weight. However, he did say that Conan and Cormac Fitzgeoffrey, another of his characters, were “physical doubles” at 210 lbs. and 6’2”.”

    No, he didn’t. Read the “Look at Cormac Fitzgeoffrey” series on The Cimmerian. That’s a complete fallacy.

    “I did read up on Conan on Wikipedia, (yes, yes I know) but the whole concept of black eyed ,muscular topdog who speaks 15 languages just screams of a Marty Stu.”

    Why? There are plenty of polyglots around the world, why should the idea of a muscular topdog be so unrealistic?

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