«
»

Millenium decided: Jason Momoa will be Conan

After some days of struggle and uncertainty about some unknown secret actors still being in the race for Conan, with the slight hope for all of us to be saved from the two mediocre, third class actors, the decision is finally out. Millenium decided they go for Jason  as Conan. The pseudo-rasta wearing hawaiian model-became-actor from Stargate Atlantis.

Here are more shocking news from Latinoreview and more details on the selection of Momoa. Apparently the script rewrite (the secret rewrite) was done by Andrew Lobel, who wrote and directed a short horror film as his only work prior to rewriting the Conan script now. We will see what even the most magic hands could do to the mediocre storyline and writing quality of the last draft of the Doppenheimer script.

But the news don’t stop here. According to Latinoreview, Micky Rourke was cast as Corin, Conan’s father. While I think Rourke is a great actor, I don’t know if that choice is a wise one, because combining a hawaiian actor with Rourke will look completely out of place.

Well I hate to send you off with these horrible news into the weekend, but stay tuned for any debunking, as we will make sure to update this news instantly if that happens.

UPDATE

Here is a little example of how Momoa could look like without the beard, the dreads and with a Conan wig put on.

UPDATE 2

It has been officially confirmed by NuImages website, that Jason Momoa is cast as Conan the Cimmerian.

Bookmark and Share

This entry was posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 9:56 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.

89 Responses to “Millenium decided: Jason Momoa will be Conan”

  1. Rufus
    At 22. January 2010 10:13 o'clock

    Fingers crossed for lots of ‘debunking’ as you put it Waldgeist. I didin’t think it could get any worse. How about Whoopi Goldberg as Conan’s mother?

  2. derFeef
    At 22. January 2010 10:54 o'clock

    Yeah. Thats great. How can Paradox do this?

  3. nosferatu
    At 22. January 2010 11:12 o'clock

    Very bad news, no comment

  4. Rabensblut
    At 22. January 2010 11:31 o'clock

    I hoped for the third guy, whoever it was. Imagine a Conan wearing a Rasta haircut. Incredible, I am losing my words.

  5. derFeef
    At 22. January 2010 11:40 o'clock

    The third guy was Jared Padalecki – so there is also good news in this bad news ;)

  6. nosferatu
    At 22. January 2010 11:47 o'clock

    Good news..man..fucking Momoa is Conan,Jared is out!

  7. Waldgeist
    At 22. January 2010 12:05 o'clock

    Yeah well… I hope he does a better job as Conan, than he does as Rex in Stargate, because I absolutely could not believe a single line he delivered in that show. He has a good physicality I give him that and his fight scene really look good, the general tone of his voice is ok too, but he always comes across as “bland” to me and dishonest. I also hated that Rex had this constant “angry” look because Conan is not a grumbling angry brute. He is often delightful and fun for people around him, he just has a quick temper.

    But well.. in the script they write him of as an idiot with anger issues, so maybe the casting is right on spot for the mediocre script.

  8. Protanos
    At 22. January 2010 12:13 o'clock

    Very bad news, Momoa will play 10 year old Conan? ))))

    P.S. I hope you invite Uwe Boll, And it will be full mockery at the legendary hero.

  9. Balboa
    At 22. January 2010 12:33 o'clock

    My job is bodybuilding for 20 years, I can say that Momoa is a very bad built, his material is not for Conan

  10. Balboa
    At 22. January 2010 12:38 o'clock

    He is 6″5 tall,and 210 lbs weight..it is absolutely impossible to succeed for 55 days to make something acceptable from him in the gym

  11. Yakinthos Sekeris
    At 22. January 2010 12:41 o'clock

    Well I hope we all have a pleasant surprise just like when we saw Heath Ledger’s performance as Joker… though I dought it with THAT script and story..

  12. derFeef
    At 22. January 2010 12:51 o'clock

    @Balboa
    Hopefully – we do not need another blown up bodybuilder. On a second thought – I think he might be okay – but this is not going to be the movie I do have in mind.

  13. Balboa
    At 22. January 2010 12:58 o'clock

    derFeef … I have not even thought of bodybuilding look, but look to something acceptable … and he is anything but acceptable

  14. Yakinthos Sekeris
    At 22. January 2010 13:07 o'clock

    Well he is not so far from the “Leonidas’ built”.. Though I dont’ know if 8 weeks are enough for him to obtain Gerard Butler’s physique in 300..

  15. Balboa
    At 22. January 2010 13:16 o'clock

    Trust me it is not possible … Momoa absolutely dont have good ground, has too short arms for man that height,Gerard Butler before the start of making 300 already had an exceptional basis

  16. Andy
    At 22. January 2010 15:21 o'clock

    @ Balboa
    At 22. January 2010 12:38 o’clock
    He is 6″5 tall,and 210 lbs weight..it is absolutely impossible to succeed for 55 days to make something acceptable from him in the gym

    That’s the biggest bulls… i ever heart.
    Only with steroids and HGH and that’s a fact.

  17. edonis
    At 22. January 2010 16:33 o'clock

    Momoa !!!!! For me and many others this movie it was, straight to DVD … another of the coolest of Hollywood and their trained little monkeys ….

  18. Big V
    At 22. January 2010 17:51 o'clock

    @ Balboa. I saw a pic of Gerard Butler before he did 300 and he did NOT have a exceptional basis. In the pic I saw, Gerard was pudgy and did not have eany build. Haveing said that I think Jason Momoa has a better start than Gerard did.

  19. garzo
    At 22. January 2010 18:00 o'clock

    I think Momoa looks great and fits the part better than Arnold. I never saw Conan as a bodybuilder. There were no bodybuilders 12,000 years ago. Give the guy a chance. And for the people who are worried that Conan will have dreadlocks, fear not. That’s only his Stargate look. I’m sure he’ll be clean-shaven and have nice long straight hair, just like Conan should.

  20. the end is here
    At 22. January 2010 21:35 o'clock

    you have to be kidding me.This is worse news than the earthquake in haiti. Not being prejudice by any means but how the hell is a black guy gonna play conan?He isnt even a decent actor! and doesnt have a conan build! he is nothing even close to what Conan should be.I will be sure not to watch this movie.Disgusting casting choice!

  21. Amra
    At 22. January 2010 21:45 o'clock

    @ Yakinthos Sekeris
    Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight which was written & directed by Nolan doesn’t compare to a script written by bad writters, directed by Nispel who doesn’t have the greatest film track record and let alone Momoa is NOT near where Ledger was as an actor.
    Terrible comparison.

    @ Garzo
    Conan should not be as over muscled as Arnold but at least look at Arnold you thought that fighting him would be a bad idea. Momoa is, other than his height, physically not very intimating. Conan is not huge but he isn’t skinny either. To wield a broad sword or an battle axe with great speed you need to be quite well built. Conan is not just a thief but also a slayer of men.
    The people that see Conan as a stupid grunting brunt living in a cave are wrong but so are the ones that say Conan was more athletic than he was muscular. He a balance between the two in order to be the deadliest mofo around.

    Momoa with some beefing up and maybe some decent acting and Nispel who I think still has the potential to make a good film (he has a great sense for making shots look pretty) could make a enjoyable Conan film even if it won’t be as good as a Conan film could/should have been. At least this keep Conan in the modern media and hope for a reboot…yay…?!?

  22. Mad MAX
    At 23. January 2010 00:18 o'clock

    Conan has to be tall, more muscular than others, not as Arnold, but certainly much more than Momoa, 2 months is not enough time.. with the use of HGH, insulin, IGF-1, steroids … to make enough muscular Conan, for something like thath is need at least 6 months … ask any professional bodybuilder and he will confirm.It would be nice to this film be successful, but pure doubt.

  23. Chris
    At 23. January 2010 01:47 o'clock

    Momoa is a very good looking guy, especially if your into the whole metro-sexual Hawaaian Hippie pothead scene but I think he is totally wrong for the role. He’d be great for a stoner flick or a Hawaaian movie. Maybe they’ll cast Miley Cyrus as Khalar Singh she could probaly beat him up with his surf board. This movie is a sinking ship. Mickey Rourke as Jason’s Dad not very believable I’m surprised they didn’t pick Wesley Snipes. Hate to be so pessimistic but Jesus the Director and Producers have no common sense. and the Razzie goes to Marcus Nispel

  24. K
    At 23. January 2010 09:20 o'clock

    I’m not sure I understand all this fuss. I think Momoa has a rather “savage” look about him that Arnie certainly lacked; this fella could make an excellent Conan in my opinion.

    As for his size – and correct me if I’m wrong – but was it not stated that this movie would be the first of a series, and Conan will be only young anyway? I think it could work. And as the series goes on Momoa will likely pack on some more muscle.

    I think we ought to give the guy a chance. Just my 2c.

  25. Yakinthos Sekeris
    At 23. January 2010 12:56 o'clock

    @Amra
    I did not make any comparisons since I’ve not seen the film yet, mate.. I just made a fun statement to cheer things up a little bit, that’s all.. :) As I have mentioned many times before I am definately NOT optimistic about this, as most of you guys are..

  26. CN6
    At 23. January 2010 17:18 o'clock

    Well, what can I say? From the last three options, I think Momoa was the best choice. Dont get me wrong, I’m not saying hes a GOOD choice, just the best one. As long as they give him a long black wig with a square cut and put some scars in his face, I think he will do a decent job. At least hes agile enough to give Conan some flexibility this time, just like Howard describes him. I don’t think he should be enormous and all ripped, a more athletic look would fit him better. Strong, sure, but more NATURAL looking, you know? I think The Rock is the best example, hes strong, but not “ripped bodybuilder strong”, and thats exactly the kind of body I think Conan would have in real life. Schwarzenegger was way too big, the guy could barely move! He looked good posing for the promotional pics, of course, but how about in motion, swinging the weapons in the movie? Heavy, slow, awkward and clumsy, just about everything that Conan is NOT. I’m just as skeptic as most of you guys are, but I’m willing to give him a chance, who knows if we’ll ended up getting a pleasant surprise? I surely hope so.

  27. Yakinthos Sekeris
    At 23. January 2010 18:34 o'clock

    Here is some manipulation I made of Jason Momoa as Conan… He definately needs a little buff but Ican say he looks quite good.. What do you guys think?

    http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b319/Rubus/Conan%20contenders/JasonMomoaasConan02.jpg

    http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b319/Rubus/Conan%20contenders/JasonMomoaasConan01.jpg

  28. calder
    At 24. January 2010 03:34 o'clock

    I think that Jason Momoa will surprise a lot of people with his portrayal of Conan. He has been looking at all of Frank Frazetta’s paintings for inspiration. I’m positive that he will own it. He will make Frank proud.

  29. Russ
    At 24. January 2010 05:52 o'clock

    Props Photoshoper. Frank Frazetta… CONAN! Seriosly people This is exciting sH!. I’m pumped to see Jason take this killer role. I’ve seen uncut footage of some serious Wraith a** kicking… AGILITY. Weeks of intesive training, Bust out the Manowar(Hail Metal), soak in the Frazetta’s… by the whey, my hair and muscles just grew. Also Mickey, The Wrestler! Ya!!! I think Jason’s resemblance to some of the comics is there. I would like to see a Horror writer bring some brutality and overall, scary… creepy stuff. Lets face it, Most of the amazing and talented people out there will never make it to any of us. I rather get something fresh personaly. The Haiti comment was a low blow. And Arnold, I hope he’ll be back as King Conan, Later on after California is safe.

  30. Fayric
    At 24. January 2010 20:41 o'clock

    I guess it could be worse. And thank you people who photoshop his picures to get a better perspective;) Visualy, I think hes a god choise, if those manipulations are anything to judge by. Looking at frazetta paintings for inspiration is maybe not nearly good enough, I hope he reads he actual stories. He and Nispel can have a little book-club together;)

  31. storyman
    At 25. January 2010 00:53 o'clock

    For what it’s worth. Arnold was a 3rd rate actor when he filmed Conan and came across as a 3rd rate actor in the Conan flicks. He could barely speak English and was slow and ponderous in his fighting scenes. He looked stunning visually but a man that size just can’t move very fast. True Howard does describe Conan as being a big, powerful and intimidating man but also Conan is fast and smart. You don’t get that (fast and smart) at all in the Arnold flicks.
    I know that later on Arnold became a pretty decent actor but that was not the case in the Conan movies. At least in my opinion.
    I don’t know if Momoa is Conan. He does not come across as intimidating. He doesn’t strike me as a guy that scare the crap out of me if I saw him on the street (Arnold excelled at that). In the end I think it will all fall back onto the script anyway. If the script does a good job of creating Howard’s Conan and the director makes sure that is what the audience sees then maybe (and I do stressss maybe) it could work. Personally I am not sold. Part of the problem here is that most of us are sold on Frazetta’s Conan. I suggest going over to:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Barbarian
    and checking out the descriptions there based on the totality of Howard’s material of Conan.
    I watched a lot of youtube videos of Momoa. He just didn’t do it for me personally. Maybe his acting has improved or maybe he is just what the big boys who’ve got the money wanted. A pretty boy that they are gonna rough up.
    As to the director, One thing I think that Marcus Nispel can bring to the movie is grittiness. Though I was not that impressed with the movie “Pathfinder” in terms of script some of the look of the movie was great.
    Whether this movie works or not to our standards it could still bring to the forefront CONAN. If the material reflects Howard’s writing then we have won. It will open a lot of young readers to Howard’s work and keep his fantastic characters alive. I don’t think we will ever see a perfect movie version of Conan but I would be happy to see a decent one. Long Live Robert E. Howard.

  32. Dzo
    At 25. January 2010 00:57 o'clock

    Disaster!!!!

  33. hengfa
    At 25. January 2010 04:07 o'clock

    really the sad thing here is the SCRIPT. Garbage in, garbage out.

    what is with the reliance on horror movie people.

    if this was not a page one rewrite, nobody should be happy to see momoa take a role that will simply tank his career. he’s not a comedy guy right?

    and yeah, he doesn’t have the physical dominance by any stretch of the imagination. maybe they’ll have him in armor, in which case his looks aren’t that bad I guess. with makeup and sandpaper.

    but I doubt they’ll do that, as that would require READING THE FRAKKING BOOKS, and knowing the character.

  34. mike
    At 25. January 2010 04:43 o'clock

    they should have cast a short, stocky actor and just used the magic of the sfx to make him appear taller. i think this guy is gonna look to lanky

  35. Mason Sosoa
    At 25. January 2010 07:49 o'clock

    Once and for all, it would be a cool thing if some Arnie haters just STOPPED saying he was ‘that slow’ and so on.

    With quality training as in the ‘82 Conan with swordmaster Yamazaki gave great results, and it didn’t last only a few weeks.
    Arnie even lost a bit of his thumb training with real swords.

    Who the heck is leading the training sessions now in Hollywood? I didn’t see anything quite worth it these last years in terms of swordplay, honestly.

    All we’ve seen is brief and flat combats, if not, some sort of ultra goofy kung fu & medieval swordplay mix is offered anyways.

    Just imagine summersaults, backflips and clownesque shaolin katas in a Conan movie…. ARG.

    We’ll see what’s going to happen with all of this Momoa and Nispel story, we can’t do anything about it anyways besides waiting like cattle watching the next train to pass by.

  36. Thunder
    At 25. January 2010 08:48 o'clock

    Holy shit, this is a total joke. I have NO faith in this movie.

  37. Cameliya
    At 25. January 2010 10:05 o'clock

    worst casting ever! He doesn’t have time to prepare to have the muscle definition required to play Conan! I still hope this news is fake. I can’t believe they even considered him for the role!

    Has it been confirmed by Lionsgate?

  38. Bobby Capps
    At 25. January 2010 16:17 o'clock

    Are you kidding me This movie is going straight to DVD he looks like a raging Tranny Were the producers looking for a Harlequin Romance look Conan is a Barbarian not hangs out in Gay Bars This guy is all wrong for this part

  39. citycat
    At 25. January 2010 21:44 o'clock

    this project is born dead. worst casting ever for a comic book adaptation.

  40. Duane
    At 26. January 2010 02:10 o'clock

    Kill the script and make it a cartoon. Then I will watch it. I was hoping that “for once” that executives wouldn’t sell out to some model/actor douche. I am sure that Mamoa really busted his azz for this. I am sure he spent countless hours reading the script and working out for this. If they would have came out with a different movie and they were interested in him he would have sold conan down the river. This movie and Jason Mamoa are made for eachother and will sink together.
    - another dissapointed “fan” eat it!

  41. Susan
    At 26. January 2010 02:18 o'clock

    Amen Duane there is no way he spent as much time preparing for this script as others..he just fell into this part, he didn’t have to work for it at all.
    Joe DiMasso was in the top 25 for this script and prepared for it countless hours…read his script non stop. Worked out everyday of his life and dedicated every waking hour to preparing for this script. He lost to some douchbag like him!!
    They saw more dollar signs with Jason sadly enough the dollar signs will be from a bunch of little girls. While doing this, they will TARNISH the Conan name FOREVER!!!

  42. Ben
    At 26. January 2010 03:40 o'clock

    This guy is a joke, I can’t believe they picked him out of all people! I would rather watch Lifetime Movies with my wife all day then watch this movie.
    This guy might have abs but that is it he is so skinny with no muscles. He doesn’t even look like Conan or like he could play the part. I wonder how much this moron can bench press! They should of had that part of the qualifications…had to be able to bench press 100 pounds. The loser would be out for sure!

  43. Ben
    At 26. January 2010 03:42 o'clock

    If he could benchpress 100 pounds, I would be surprised! Conan is suppose to be strong with muscles for gosh sakes!!! and NOT a pretty boy.

  44. Brad
    At 26. January 2010 20:14 o'clock

    Jason Mamoa sucked some cock to get this role

  45. Ben
    At 26. January 2010 22:11 o'clock

    I came back to the blog hoping this was a mistake, but same garbage. I guess it’s not Jason Homoa’s fault. He is just a product of lousy producers and executives. He doesn’t know he sucks because people in high places like him.

  46. m
    At 27. January 2010 17:59 o'clock

    Well I guess the chips were always stacked against a good conan movie , if you look at the majority of these pulp hero adaptations, from tarzan to holmes and even007 how many actually hit the mark? not too many, I can only think of greystoke, from russia with love x-men 2( i am a dark knight hater sorry ,batman begins was better) that come close to getting it right. And as much as milius ’s version of the character strays , at least there is a sense of prehistory and primitiveness that isnt completely found in even in howards stories which use the settings as vehicles to tell his version of roman , asian, celtic tales wih a twist of lovecraft. What I felt milus did right in the first movie was you got the sense this world 12000 yrs ago was doomed regardless reflecting howards outlook on life in general. milius just botched up all the details.I for one would have loved to have seen a theme of civilization vs barbarism .The simplest thing to do if everyone is that passionate about preserving the characters integrity is go public with intentions to boycott the movie don’t see it let the studio lose its core audience. The only way in todays world to make a statement to these morons is to hurt their wallets.

  47. m
    At 27. January 2010 21:23 o'clock

    Well I gotta say momoa isnt the worst choice . the movie will still likely suck but I kinda see what they see in him.Conan is a prehistoric celt descended from atlanteans .I thought Kevin Sorbo could have been a solid kull had the movie not sucked beyond comprehension ( unless you appreciate its camp value like the 60’s batman show) I think in the late 70’s early 80’s they went with Arnie because a) no one looked like him b) Arnie is a walking comic book character not an actor and they wanted a visual representation of conan, and their two best references were frazettas paintings and marvels comic. Arnold does look like that. Momoa is a big dude and yes he needs a bit more muscle, but not bodybuilder ripped more light heavyweight mma or boxer type ripped, lean not bulky but nonetheless deadly. A young chuck liddell is a great physical representation , he’s 6′2 220 and looks like he can break a civilized man’s neck with a well placed cross.

  48. Donald
    At 27. January 2010 22:04 o'clock

    This is a serious disappointment for me! I love the Robert E. Howard version of Conan and I am sure that Jason Mamoa’s physique is not the one he pictured Conan as having! In fact,the only attribute he has which is similar is his height! Despite what many have said Conan was POWERFULLY built! Who ever said that because someone is muscular he is awkward or slow? This is a misinformed stereotype that can be debunked by any of the American Gladiators who play around guys like Mamoa similar to the way a Pitbull plays with cats! Speaking of American Gladiators that is the suitable physique to play the character! Oh yeah and by the way, Mike O’Hearn aka,” Titan,” and Beth Horn,aka,”Venom,” both were and still are bodybuilders! I think they are trying to appeal to the wrong audience! The same people who saw Twilight aren’t going to want to see Conan! I wish movie makers would stop trying to fill every movie with actors that appeal to a 16 year old girl! Make a movie that a MAN would want to watch!!!

  49. Donald
    At 27. January 2010 22:27 o'clock

    I don’t want to totally discredit Jason Mamoa though. He does have some potential but it will take a good year of solid hardcore training,(and some chemical assistance to speed things a bit) to put on enough size to be a suitable YOUNG Conan! He still needs a good 60 pounds of muscle a be the Mature version that Howard described and Frazetta painted! Its a tough role to fill and there are few actors that fill the description!

  50. Yakinthos Sekeris
    At 28. January 2010 00:02 o'clock

    Here is another manipulation of Jason Momoa as Conan…

    http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b319/Rubus/Conan%20contenders/JasonMomoaasConan03.jpg

  51. Wolf
    At 28. January 2010 00:28 o'clock

    Dudes and Dudettes! ;)

    Do any of you know who Travis Barker is.

    Here’s a video of what a good special effects team could do if they wanted and I have no doubts after seeing 300 that Shaun Smith and his crew can enhance the builds of some of the actors even if it’s not to the degree Travis was transformed into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSFnotAmcoA

    I’ve seen some recent pics of Momoa and he no longer looks like the pic that is often being refered to.

    As much as I loved Arnold in the first Conan…I think Momoa has a strong chance of pulling off the original Robert E. Howard’s Conan character.

  52. Jasons bloodline
    At 28. January 2010 03:05 o'clock

    CONAN
    Cimmerian role
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7hBxvTZqA&feature=related

  53. m
    At 28. January 2010 16:44 o'clock

    Like many have said before conan was believed by most experts to be an idealized alter ego for howard himself. I’ve also read that his personality was closer to Kull which to me the only real difference between the characters is Kull is slightly more introverted. My point is, use what pictures you have of Howard as a reference point.Here’s the problem You’re never gonna find an ordinary “thespian” who can beef up that quickly.and an “actor” is gonna want face time( over do it() or (like tobey in spiderman , notce and the end of every movie his mask is ripped off? why is that?)or make some gay motivational speech ala braveheart or lotr, which seems standard in these movies latley.Conan’s words( though smart) were short sweet to the point , usually that of a blade. Although physically Remember Gerard butler is a big guy and despite his training he was digitally enchanced to some point as were all of those actors( hence why the 300 team was hired!)Now you’re stuck with bodybuilders, models , boxers wrestlers mma guys who physically look the part but have devoted their lives to just to their profession and can’t just become convincing actors on any level on short notice. Schwarzenneger ,as much as I like him, as entertaining as he is as enjoyable as his movies are, was not, is not and will never be an actor, could never play william wallace , maximus or aragorn,which are essentially action roles with some depth( with wallace I refer to the film version not the real person) which is what conan fans seem to want from this movie.I like many of you are likely deducing this: With a guy like Momoa You can get a guy who will beef up to some small extent , will be digitally enhanced to compensate the rest, with a director like nispel who seems more adept at visuals than story, you will get a living frazetta painting as a conan movie and not a howard story at all.

  54. Donald
    At 28. January 2010 21:41 o'clock

    I agree totally that it would be difficult to find an ACTOR that presents the qualities that are necessary to play the role! I somewhat disagree with the comments regarding Arnold though! He’s no thespian but as Conan,as you have said, there is no need for long drawn out speeches etc… Conan lets his actions do the talking, so Arnold was a proper fit for the role. That aside, I do think Momoa has the potential to play the part I just wish more time was spent transforming him for the role! I realize that with all the digital technology we have today that we could enhance SOME of the qualities necessary but, with what I’ve seen,it would look ridiculous to do enough CGI to make Momoa look the part!I realize, as tall and thin as he is, it would be impossible for him to carry the bulk necessary to look like the Frazetta paintings but to rely on entirely CGI etc… to acheive that would be a mockery! I will say though, he does have the facial structure for it! Just have to scar it up a bit:) As a side note, I thought 300 looked ridiculous! I can only pray that this movie doesn’t follow suit

  55. m
    At 28. January 2010 22:29 o'clock

    I really didnt say anything bad about arnold , he’s an entertaining guy his movies are fun, but hes just not an actor’s actor. thats what i mean.Don’t get me wrong I am probably a minority here when I say I am a huge fan of the first conan , milius version not the destroyer.As I said I am aware that it strays from howard in the details, not so much the spirit,but for what it is its heads above most films that are similar ..When I was a teenager in the early 90’s it was that movie that got me to read howard decamp lovecraft derleth , those weird tale guys. And yes in an earlier post as I said arnold was the guy for the job,as I said before there was simply no one like him at the time.If you’ve ever read about Arnold and his life ,he’s as close as you can get a civilized person being conan. Came to this country with twelve dollars and becamea multi millionaire and we all know he’s got charisma but he’s no saint.I would even go so far to argue that aside the first terminator, the first conan was my favorite of his roles and I don’t care what critics or fanboys say.There’s alot more to milius conan than people realize.( although his idea for a third one seemd tame to me They write him(arnold’s of course) off as dumb witted and slow but think about this:We are all civilized folk writing these things, isn’t that how most civilized folk dismissed conan in Howards stories? Conan , no matter his success in the civilized world is an outsider reflecting howards feelings again. He takes down a Freakin powerful cult in the film .Cults are arguably a product of civilization although the film attributes it ultimatley as a testament to willpower,It took planning to invade that mountain using three , and strategy and planning to take down Jmaes earl jones’s boys with just two at the end. Hell,look at this blog we give time to write and debate,( while I’m off work, the wife is at works and the kids nap,some barbarian I am huh?) does it not serve a cult to conan to some degree? Or star trek and star wars? What I want to say concerning Momoa is though he has the part whether we like it or not ( again I’m not thrilled but I think I see the angle theyre aiming for)but with this recent conan revival in the last few years coupled with the success of the dark horse comics, films like lotr or gladiator,the conan property is a money machine , and I believe many parties want to play to many demographics ( cast a wide net..) , in the case of this movie it would have to be loyal to howard ( details as well) script wise for him to possibly shine in the eyes of conan’s core audience. and it wont.I don’t think momoa will hold a candle to arnold either.BUt after today I will patiently wait for the first trailer and if it looks like garbage i simply wont see it and continue to enjoy howard and conan regardless. Forgive me for rambling on, I’ve been following this whole conan movie thing now like many of you at least since 99.Btw I didn’t care for the fx in 300 either, and did not find any gladiator-esque father -son honor nonsense( mind you, worked in gladiator not 300) in Frank millers book either, but was nonetheless entertained. call it, like this, a guilty pleasure.

  56. Donald
    At 28. January 2010 23:03 o'clock

    I could not agree more with you! Even though I’ve been following this news and criticizing certain aspects of it all,like you, I am anxiously awaiting this movie! I love the Conan stories so much that I couldn’t miss it if every critic gave it terrible reviews! At this point all we can do is sit, wait, and hope that Marcus will pull through for us!

  57. Stampfer
    At 29. January 2010 02:32 o'clock

    You want more shocking news? Her’s a new info from german TV-show “Brisant” which was broadcast this week: German Bodybuilder, actor and TV’s Conan Ralf Moeller announced on a red carpet event that he will be part of the movie production in march! No more infos about his role because the reporter didn’t ask. I hope it will be a cameo only.

  58. Jasons bloodline
    At 29. January 2010 10:26 o'clock

    .

    This actor was a final contender so if the deal falls through,
    here’s CONAN:

    reel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44256945@N08/4124117942/
    imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1186269/

    .

  59. Storyman
    At 30. January 2010 02:37 o'clock

    It’s all a crap shoot anyway. Long Live Howard’s Conan.

  60. Thorrsman
    At 30. January 2010 06:30 o'clock

    Keep in mind that Howard, a contemporary and friend of Lovecraft, wrote most of his Conan stories as a type of weird fiction/horror. The biggest fault of the previous movies was that they ignored that basic fact, going for more the tamer “Sword and Sorcery” of the later writers.

  61. Bill Hunt
    At 30. January 2010 14:30 o'clock

    “….skin burnt brown by countless alien suns; eyes of volcanic blue; the titanic physique of his blacksmith father, and a square-cut main of hair, black as a raven’s wing.” Movie producers HELLO! Read the freakin’ books; stick with REH’s story, be true to REH’s character in look and behavior = Box office dollars, loyal fans, sequels, and DVD sales. I’m age 60 and been a Conan-phile since age 7; nuff said.

  62. Scott Wheeler
    At 31. January 2010 03:43 o'clock

    I just want to make a correction here about Gerry Butler and the rest of the actors as they appeared in 300. No one was digitally enhanced. It was his training, Larry Fong’s lighting and camera work and the makeup that created that look. Nothing more.

  63. Steve Dilks
    At 31. January 2010 22:07 o'clock

    Can’t wait for this movie! I think that Momoa guy looks great!Hope they oil him up best to show off that rippling physique.Will there be a comedic sidekick?I hope they make him a dwarf-or an elf.That would be rad!Maybe at the end Conan will finally get to be king of Atlantis.I really hope they stay true to the original works of L.Sprague de Camp,creator of fantasy’s mightiest hero.I think we are in safe hands with Marcus Nispel,a true visionary with an impressive c.v. of movies to his name.Texas chainsaw massacre and Friday 13th are probabely THE defining horror movies of a generation.

  64. Dylan Dog
    At 1. February 2010 13:33 o'clock

    hahahhaahahahhahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahh!

  65. BRUS 007
    At 1. February 2010 13:37 o'clock

    Momoa is best posible choice for Conan:)

  66. m
    At 3. February 2010 20:35 o'clock

    Any news on the Kull movie?

  67. ironKing
    At 5. February 2010 14:50 o'clock

    Really!?!?! Jason Momoa… I never heard of him until now!

    I was holding out for a bulked and ripped Josh Holloway – he has the brooding look down pat. Lose the drawl and go in for 6 months Sumo training followed by 2 months Gridiron and Gymnastics and he’ll fit the part.

    Im so disappointed. I grew up reading Conan and was dismayed at the Arnie versions (although they’re great for a laugh) I was hoping for sure they would do it justice. As for the whole painted 300 thing – I think it will detract from the movie.

  68. CN6
    At 5. February 2010 18:39 o'clock

    Check this news:
    http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/toldja-conan-the-barbarian-hires-momoa/

    “…Sources said that director Marcus Nispel was sold on Momoa, and won over the filmmakers by shooting a few trial scenes that allowed Momoa to wield a sword and behave very Schwarzenegger-like.”

    WTF? Since when Schwarzenegger is ANY reference for Conan??? I said it once, I said twice an I’ll say it again: I hope for the day when the old movies influence is ERASED from everyones minds, because those movies and Schwarzenegger did NOTHING for Conan. Don’t get me wrong, I like the first movie for what it is, a good fantasy/sword adventure, but thats it. If it had any other title, like “Vengeful Warrior” or “Riddle of Steel”, it would be the SAME, because its NOT a Conan movie and theres NO Conan in there (at least not the REAL one, as envisioned by Howard). So I think people should have to LET IT GO once and for all, and stop bringing that up every freaking day!

    Just the fact that they have a very similar script, which brings up all the same mistakes AGAIN, shows to me that any of the people involved in this project have any kind of respect for the true Conan charater or the works of Howard. They just want to cash in again, relying on peoples memory: “Hey, I remember that Conan guy and that old movie… Wasn’t Schwarzenegger in it? Yeah, I’ll watch it, then.”

    If thats what theyre aiming for, instead of doing Conan and Howard the justice they deserve, then I’m sure CROM is already laughing hysterically in his mountain…

  69. Kortoso
    At 5. February 2010 20:04 o'clock

    So this should not be under “Rumors” but “Official News”.

  70. Steve Dilks
    At 5. February 2010 21:45 o'clock

    …Hither came Conan,an underwear catalogue model,with gigantic dreads and tiny bermuda shorts -to tread the cherished memories of his fans beneath his adidased feet.
    -The Nu/Millenium Chronicles.

  71. John DiMasso
    At 6. February 2010 22:08 o'clock

    To put it blountly Jason looks like a pussy not a Conan.

  72. Donald
    At 8. February 2010 23:57 o'clock

    In reference to Arnold doing NOTHING for CONAN! Well I disagree! This may not be applicable to anyone posting here because most here have an appreciation for the writings of Howard. Aside from that, when was Conan ever spoken about by the general non comic reading public! Most people even today, only know of Arnold when Conan is brought up in conversation! Arnold popularized the character to the general public many of whom, never picked up a comic! I was too young to read when I first saw Conan The Barbarian but it sparked a fascination in me that led me to read Robert E Howard’s books and comics later in life! True the movie isn’t what many would declare a PURE Howard tale but it was in the true spirit of it all! In many ways its far easier to write a book than it is to film a movie. Books are only limited by the writers imagination! Movies are constricted by reality! Especially in the 70’s and 80’s! However I agree That Momoa isn’t probably the best choice but it obviously one we will have to live with! As far as the people in this project only being interested in making money… Of course this is America isn’t it! I do really wish someone with a true interest in Conan would take this project over, but people like that lack the position in society to do so! Yeah, Crom laughs!

  73. m
    At 9. February 2010 02:21 o'clock

    Gotta agree with don on this.Though Conan is arnies breakout role , pre terminator, alot of people wouldn’t know of conan because of him . that said, ” My dagger’s gone, you kill him!!”

  74. m
    At 9. February 2010 02:37 o'clock

    Howards been dead for what, seventy freakin years, right?who are any of us to claim to be an authority on his vision of conan or how it would have evolved had he lived? And I ask again , when has hollywood ever gotten a pulp character completely right,according to the writer’s vision? I’ll even argue that some of howards ( or any authors whose works are translated to film) stuff may not translate well to the big screen, that it works best in written form so that it sort of compliments the readers imagination. BTW much like the people making this film,Conan was primarily interested in making profit, think about it.

  75. m
    At 9. February 2010 02:38 o'clock

    ” Maybe they want to capture us, then torture us to death…”

  76. Mad MAX
    At 9. February 2010 10:57 o'clock

    CROM!

  77. CN6
    At 9. February 2010 18:05 o'clock

    I think some of you got my point wrong. I agree about the popularization thing, actually that was one of the few good things that came from those movies, but thats a normal consequence, that happens with most adaptations on a regular basis. This kind of movie always has the power to introduce the characters and works of someone to the general public, but that doesn’t mean its doing a good job in the process. I like Arnold and I have a lot of respect for the guy, but what I meant is that he is no good reference for the real Conan, his interpretation didn’t do it any justice, as it should have.

    I’m asking for a faithful adaptation, sure, but not a LITERAL one. I’m not a Howard purist, so I don’t hope for them to put every single line of dialogue or action scenes that he wrote on the big screen, but just for a change, I’d like to see the REAL Conan in there, with all his presence, personality, intelligence and charisma. Those movies (and Arnie’s portrayal), didn’t have any of that. Think Lord of The Rings trilogy, for instance. It wasn’t a literal adaptation, they took several liberties with Tolkiens work, but they managed to keep the soul and personality of each character intact. Every single one of them was great, just like they are in the books and how they should appear in the screen. Thats what I’m talking about, and thats why those Conan movies annoys me so much.

    Conan is a “ready to go” character, everything you need (and should)to know about him is right there in Howards stories, and hes great as it is. So, he doesn’t need to be reinvented or rethought, nobody needs to add or remove any layer from his personality, hes an already SOLID character from the start.

    Is that SO difficult for the screenplay writers, producers and director to see?

  78. m
    At 9. February 2010 21:18 o'clock

    Well , lets toss conan the destroyer out of this because we all know it was definitely a camped out toned down movie in the vein of the batman tv show.Arnolds conan is criticized for being dumb and awkward quite often, i believe ( just a theory ) milius screws with our perceptions and on a studio level they didnt want to take a chance on the guy speaking too much because of his accent. Again , Milius conan deserves another viewing. We know he did not get the details of conan correct . however I tried to express a point that we are civilized people and where howards stories lend us to relate to conans outsider status, civilized people in howards stories view him as a dumb barbarian . now we the viewer are viewing conan from a civilzed persons point of view.And most of us will see him as a dumb barbarian not that any of us have the will or the brains to pull off rescuing a princess , breaking up a supernatural snake worshipping cult and taking down the enforcers of that cult .We root for him though in the stories and this movie. Does arnold speak much ? No he doesnt have to and it doesnt make him stupid.He is very brooding. the things he says and does that makes him seem stupid to us is because he’s a barbarian , green to civilization and doesnt understand it.I get the impression that he doesnt like what he sees either. no matter what we are all civilized and can never understand what its like to see a civilized world for the first time, how can we assume to know what it feels like. Does arnold look like conan? Based on comics and paintings , arnold is a living comic book so you tell me.based on howards writing lets see, no black hair, and I can’t tell what color arnolds eyes are, in some scenes they appear green to me. I have no idea what a prehistoric celt might look like or sound like ,whose to say? My argument is that though conan 1 was not literal, it is more faithful in spirit than people want to give it credit for . Lotr were not a series of short stories or even an ongoing series, it is a large novel with a set plot with an arguably more develpoed mythology ( I dont recall howard developing languages for his hyborian cultures)denser material but all packaged to work with. The writers and producers probably know this know the character better than we think: the problem to them is how do they make him appeal to people who wouldnt normally see this and pleasing Howards fans.

  79. m
    At 9. February 2010 21:30 o'clock

    personally, however a conan i would like to see would omit any origin story even the raid of venarium the outpost.no parents not even a glimpse of cimmeria. conan from what i read , appeared fully developed and doesnt need any of that origin shit. It worked with batman and bond to a point , but enough with it. the struggle with me, as a viewer is how much of the supernatual element I want to see.Thisis where I get really weird but try and follow . A cinematic conan that I would find acceptable,his personality and presence would lie somwhere between the man with no name indiana jones and tony soprano. I find temple of doom and kurosawas yojimbo , the story ideas could mak decent original conan stories, that can draw a crowd and demonstrate the characteristics ( shrewdness physicality mood) we like in conan.It’s just a thought i had and mind you dont take it that seriously.

  80. Steve Dilks
    At 9. February 2010 21:34 o'clock

    Enough talk!

  81. Mad MAX
    At 10. February 2010 00:32 o'clock

    He is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, “What is the riddle of steel?” If I don’t know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me. That’s Crom, strong on his mountain!

  82. Mad MAX
    At 10. February 2010 00:33 o'clock

    Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That’s what’s important! Valor pleases you, Crom… so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!

  83. Steve Dilks
    At 10. February 2010 21:58 o'clock

    May Paradox entertainment contemplate those immortal lines on the tree of woe…Crucify them.

  84. Mad MAX
    At 10. February 2010 22:47 o'clock

    Thulsa Doom: I wish to speak to you now. Where is the Eye of the Serpent? Rexor says that you gave to a girl, probably for a mere night’s pleasure, hmm? What a loss. People have no grasp of what they do. You broke into my house, stole my property, murdered my servants, and my PETS! And that is what grieves me the most! You killed my snake. Thorgrim is beside himself with grief! He raised that snake from the time it was born.
    Conan: You killed my mother! You killed my father, you killed my people! You took my father’s sword… ah
    [Rexor twists his arm]
    Thulsa Doom: Ah. It must have been when I was younger. There was a time, boy, when I searched for steel, when steel meant more to me than gold or jewels.
    Conan: The riddle… of steel.
    Thulsa Doom: Yes! You know what it is, don’t you boy? Shall I tell you? It’s the least I can do. Steel isn’t strong, boy, flesh is stronger! Look around you. There, on the rocks; a beautiful girl. Come to me, my child…
    Thulsa Doom: [coaxes the girl to jump to her death]
    Thulsa Doom: That is strength, boy! That is power! What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart, I gave you this! Such a waste. Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Crucify him!

  85. m
    At 11. February 2010 21:29 o'clock

    I’ve heard some rumors on the new script today , tell me what you think: It will take place right after conan the destroyer,Instead of conans dad being murdered by raiders , both of conans parents in the southern cimmerian village of brooks inn, are turned to stone by a cruel serpent man wizard, wrath amon,( played by the guy who played xerxes in 300) and conan with his magic baby phoenix friend named needle( they say th cgi is gonna rival gollum with a touch of shrek) must sweep the land with a variety of friends and young warriors to find a sword that drives the serpent men back to another dimension . It also mentioned that a serpent god ( all cgi )may make an appearance too. ” you zee this woman; valeria is like her, she doesn’t look like her but she has the same spirit , the same ,…the same….. Another queen lot on your knife, i mean not on your life!!”

  86. Steve Dilks
    At 11. February 2010 22:50 o'clock

    That sounds a lot better than the last script.I DEMAND dialogue that runs…”Wait, Taramis planned it from the beginning…We get the horn and then Bombatta takes the girl and jewel back to her”.Priceless.Will there be room for a jester comedic sidekick in this film? Maybe he could be a dwarf.

  87. Steve Dilks
    At 11. February 2010 23:00 o'clock

    Hopefully this movie will look as impressive as an episode of Stargate:Atlantis.Just like Kevin Sorbo’s Kull was like a shonky feature length version of Hercules.”I can’t kill it it’s some sort of machine!”

  88. Joshua Black
    At 23. February 2010 02:16 o'clock

    I hope that the same team tackles the Roots remake next. I’ve always thought that Gilbert Gottfried would make an excellent Chicken George.

  89. Uncas
    At 26. February 2010 23:36 o'clock

    Its nonsence that “fashion model” like Momoa will play role of ancient hero!!!
    They already got The Rock ,or somebody full of muscles…Conan based by comic look so primitive,big ,strong and brave in the same time!!!Momoa is totaly waiste of time for that role…next please!

Write a comment

Conan The Movie Blog is proudly powered by WordPress | WPD
Beiträge (RSS) und Comments (RSS)