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UPDATES Who’s ‘Conan The Barbarian’? Two Candidates Considered
EXCLUSIVE: Today’s the day for all things Conan to be resolved. First, there was Conan the late night host getting a whopping check to leave. Now, Conan the Barbarian has been crowned. I hear that Millennium Films, Lionsgate, and rights holder Paradox Entertainment have approved Jason Momoa to star in Conan, the rebirth of the Robert E. Howard-created series. The brawny star of Stargate Atlantis who also stars in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Momoa got the nod over Kellan Lutz, the Twilight guy. I told you that the search for Conan had come down to the duo. 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. This keeps the film on course for a March 15 production start in Bulgaria, and it closes a long ordeal in bringing the saga back to the screen. Paradox originally set up the film with Warner Bros in 2002, and then moved it over to Millenium in 2007.
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We hear so often about remakes, reboots, and the like that I can’t even keep them all straight any longer. I think we may be reaching a saturation point of unoriginal studio programing. Now we here there will be a new Conan the Barbarian, but does anybody really care? A little originality feels like it could go a long way right now. Just look at Avatar for an example.
Avatar? Are you saying that Avatar’s the originality that the film industry needs to be striving for? Let me ask you something, Have you ever seen a movie called Fern Gully? It’s an animated children’s movie that came out a LONG time ago. The idea, plot, dialogue are all surprisingly similar. You should check it out.
However, i do agree with you that it’s getting tiring all these remixes, sequels being filmed before the first one is even in theater (the newest one i can think of is the Percy Jackson one), and reboots. Oh,and even though it might seem like I’m dissing on Avatar I really enjoyed the film and am looking forward to the direction film will take because of it. 
Don’t forget that AVATAR also lifts from DANCES WITH WOLVES to E R Burroughs’ “John Carter Of Mars” novels (currently being developed over at Pixar) and damn near everything inbetween. AVATAR is a Mulligan stew.
Come on, have you heard of Ferngully, you are just saying what others have already said, when speaking of originality make sure you say something that is original as well.
I hope these guys tackle the Roots remake next. I’ve always thought that Gilbert Gottfried would make a great Chicken George.
This is exactly the question I today started spreading on Twitter http://twitter.com/LuckyWriter – Are there ANY original movie CONCEPTS left??? Not plot – Concept! I mean…Conan??? Not even Avatar is an original concept and relies on the special effects. The problem is – even if some nobody somewhere in the world comes up with an original concept, nobody in Hollywood will listen to him or her unless ‘referred’. It happens, it is happening now…
I do agree with you about needing more original stories. The market is increadibly saturated with remakes. However I do enjoy sone reboots. I like to see different styles and takes on already a great story. Sometimes that makes compelling cinema. I still would have loved to see Tim Burtons version of Superman. Imagine how different that would have been. Oh and besides Avatar being a retelling of Fern Gully, I also found it to be amazingly similar to Dances with Wolves as well.
Not all of us enjoy Tim Burton movies or find his aesthetic appealing. Appalling, yes.
I personally think his Batman movies were horrific and did as much to damage the brand as the campy 60s TV series did.
Even though they promoted the character into the stratosphere, they do so at the cost of what made the character and his mythology interesting and resonant.
Tim Burton’s bipolar/goth/Addams Family/alpha Emo aesthetic is not sexy to everyone and his directorial vision is clearly fueled by his mental disorder.
He would have cast Nicolas Cage to play Superman.
NICK CAGE, people!
That says it all…
As far as I am concerned Adam West is Batman. And the series should be on DVD already.
Avatar=Disney’s “Pocohantas” in Space. Real original.
totally with you on that one, the entire cg production was too good for such a redone story. Story weak, but the work on it AMAZING!!!! It deserved a better story.
Yeah, they were already making the Smurf movie when Avatar was announced.
are you fucking kidding me, jason momoa is going to be the new conan what a disgrace
I know man .. Arnie would crush his skull with one hand
Have they never watched Conan the barbarian, Distroyer or red sonja, Yes i no arnold is getting older and busy but cant they goto the gym or wrestling UFC and get someone not 17 looking nd pretty for the girls to look at i mean theres are millions of choices and they pick a skinny toned guy, nothing against the actors just the ideas, im reading conan books right now Written by Robert E. Howard and conan can tangle with a friggin ape and win, how can these candy ass hollywood boys live up to that?
Conan in the actual REH stories was not just a hulking roid barbarian, but also an agile and youthful thief who could jump and scale walls with ease. Arnie might be big, but he lacks the authenticity of the limberness to be an effective thief. Mamoa is actually quite a large guy, in Atlantis he was physically imposing enough to play Conan who incidentally was not big, he was in fact in the stories was often shorter than other hulking warriors, he merely possessed the force of will to overcome his adversaries.
I never thought Howards Conan had been given justice in the movies. I always envisioned a young Jack Palance with a braveheart like epic movie. Arnold was cheesy! i just checked out this new guy on you tube..it might work, holding out hope by crom!
I agree with Rico. Arnold was cheesy; DeLaurantis screwed up the film and should have paid more attention to oliver Stone’s concepts. Message to film makers: Read the freaking books! Tell the story as it was written by REH; Stay true to the look of the characters. Do this and fans will clamor for sequels, buy books and DVD’s. All this means money in the bank for producers and happy fans. I’m 60 years old and been a Conanphile since I was 7; nuff said.
Avatar is a rip on Dances With Wolves, The Mission, Pathfinder, Pocahantas and of course the Smurfs. The technology and cinematography are great but the story and dialogue border on the silly. The biggest rip comes from the book “The World of Noon” by Soviet fantasy writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. The Strugastky brothers wrote a sick human who uses his mind to meld with blue creatures called the Nave who live on a planet called Pandora; sound famliar?
yes….just another flatulant video game….writ large….totally unoriginal
I have been waiting a long time for a new Conan movie to come out,when I read my first Conan book back in 1972 I thought if they a movie about this guy who would get to play the part Arnold was a good choice but Jason Momoa give a brake he wouldn’t make a pimple on Arnolds ass.
I have been waiting a long time for a new Conan movie to come out,when I read my first Conan book back in 1972 I thought if they make a movie about this guy who would they get to play the part,Arnold was a great choice but,Jason Momoa give me a brake he wouldn’t make a pimple on Arnold’s ass,Robert E.Howard is probably rolling around in his grave,how could they do that to him.
i think that robert e. howard himself right now in the grave would
make a better conan than this pimple.so i hope they do the right thing & some clearisil & take care of him befor he starts to spread!!
this movie will never see my money! the man has no size dose not even come close to the conan character! this is a role that should have been offered to someone like triple-h or maybe even the rock but not this scrawney puke wimp!!!! he might fit in as the magician or a fall behind slack-jawed-droony!!!
ok we get your point. Stfu already.
I hope this dude does good and makes you and every other idiot cry more by becoming the best Conan.
And seriously? Some of you people call this guy skinny? He’s Six foot five and he is skinny?
How fat are some of you people?
The guy is skinny…6ft 5 and what 200lbs and change? he is not anywhere near muscular enough for the role of conan, at his height he should be weighing close to 280lbs to have the required physique for this role.
Actually, if the plans hold true movie goers will finally see ROBERT E. HOWARD’S CONAN — those two films from the 1980′s ain’t it! Howard wrote 21 stories of the Cimmerian adventurer between 1933 and his death in 1936 and single-handedly created the genre we know as sword and sorcery. Modern technology is finally at a point where Conan and his epic world — like LOTR — can finally be done. Howard’s Conan: “I don’t go looking for devils but I won’t step out of my path to let one go by.”
Just to let you know what made Conan Really shine was in the 60′s when conan became hugely popular due to Frank Frazetta paintings on the Lancer and Ace paperbacks. Robert E. Howard would discribe Conan as mighty. He could of been a mighty twig, but readers were excited to pick up a book with frazetta images on them. Hollywood could say that they want to stay true to his writing But I dont think they know. Frazetta got it and it was a home run. Lets remember why we picked up the book in the first place. Momoa is a bad choice. Tarzan fits his body type better. They better change the poster art and put a thin arm in its place holding the heavey two handed battle blade.
I think the remake couled be good if they did it right, The guy that will have the roll as conan, actor JASON MOMOA needs to really beef up for the roll and get rid of the dreadlocks, conan never had dreadlocks, I thought the story wouled be have ARNOLD come back for a small part as conan to where he has his kindom allready and then JASON MOMOA would play his son and his name wouled also be conan than go from there. It will be hard for JASON MOMOA to take over ARNOLDS role as conan, but I think if puts the time in to it and works hard he could do it. We will have to what and see.
That is awesome news for all his fans and fans of the franchise!
Jason Momoa looks awesome and he’ll make a hell of a Conan. He has the look — he exudes that “barbarian” quality that so excited Robert E. Howard. It’s a brave and exciting selection. Let’s hope Marcus Nispel, Jason Momoa, Millennium Films, Lionsgate and Paradox do Howard’s iconic creation justice.
Don’t let the fans down! We’ve been waiting a long time for Conan.
He doesn’t have the look at all – compare him to the iconic Frazetta Barbarian painting and almost every description of the character by the man who created him – Robert E Howard.
The fans will be not watching this movie in their droves
Well sure, but a remake isn’t just for the old fans. They’re trying to cash in on a whole new public who never saw the old one. I for one can barely remember the first.
I agree with you. This guy looks soft. Not invincible at all, like the comic book character portrays. I believe that most success of a movie comes from good casting. This new Conan will lose money.
Whose attached to Direct? Hope it’s still not that no talent ass clown Brett Ratner.
Awesome. As a big Stargate Atlantis fan, this is just AWESOME.
Indeed!
great another manchild action star
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Jason is 30 years old and as evidenced by his portrayal of Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis, can be as fierce and physical as Conan should be. He’ll do the role justice.
you are stupid! he is not at all like described by the character’s creator REH. Its like having a mexican play superman, weakness.
NOT awesome! As a CONAN fan, he looks f**k all like Conan should look, and is both too young looking and too scrawny. Were talking about replacing Arnold Shwarzennegar here! You give us this puny human?
Wheres that other guy that was supposed to be in this that looked just like Arnie and even had an austrian accent. Forget his name but he was perfect! This momoa guy looks more prince of persia than Barbarian.
I don’t like the cut of his jib!
The name you’re looking for is Roland Kickinger. He is pretty much a clone of Arnold back in his Mr. Universe days. Why they didn’t use him instead of a CG Arnold in the last Terminator movie is one of the things (just one mind you) that went wrong on that production.
I’m a big fan of Momoa. He’s a great guy and nice to work with. But he’s completely wrong for this. Prove me wrong Jason. I’ll support the film either way, but I’m having visions of King Kull here.
Who says that Conan has to look like Arnold? Look at the comics and you’ll see that Jason looks more like the character than he did. Maybe you should just watch the original movie again.
Arnold looked nothing like Conan to begin with. They shouldn’t have to make casting decisions based on whether the person looks like Arnold or not, but rather on whether it looks like CONAN or not. Arnold didn’t make Conan, Robert E. Howard did.
I Agree I love Arnold but he is not even close to what conan was supposed to be. He was ruthless and head and shoulders above the tallest pictish warriors of the time. I am not even sure there is someone on earth who could play conan.
No, Arnold doesnt look like Conan indeed… Momoa does…Momoa is conan after the influenza…
The Governator was never the best pick for Conan – wasn’t dark enough, or brooding enough. He was no older than Moma is now, and – the worst part – could NEVER act. The ONLY thing he was good in was Terminator, and in some ways it was good DESPITE him being in it.
the original conan was god awful.
I’m all for the remake.
Well first off they say they want to make a movie from Robert E. Howards books, well i hope they read atlease one, check used book stores everyone one is of a big ass white guy killing demi gods and wild animals, Momoa looks more like a twilight makes money so lets get on that wagon idea whats he weight 175 ?
Too scrawny and young-looking?! Huh? The Twilight tween was “too scrawny and young-looking”! Ronin, I mean Momoa is a perfect choice!
This guy looks the part of Conan, THE BARBARIAN, as much as Perez Hilton – gimme’ a freakin’ break…
Look up “Ronon Dex” on YouTube. I rest my case.
and? hes a tall skinny dude in dreads thats not the conan i read about and watched sense childhood
@ActionJunkie Perfect for a barbarian, not Conan.
Hey, last I heard of Momoa, his face had been all sliced up in some sort of bar brawl. Was that untrue?
Yes, but that was over a year ago and he’s healed since then. The scars are barely visible up close. I’ve met him at a recent sci-fi convention.
DREDD pop down to the REH forum where the REAL Conan fans are, and Arnie is considered a poor parody of REH’s Conan virtually looking nothing or acting like how he is described. At least this guy has some potential rather than the big dumb barbarian with the austrian accent who’s into camel punching.
Maybe you were thinking of Roland Kickinger, but then if you were you really haven’t been following this all too closely, which would beg the question how much of a fan are you?
Either way I don’t need another Canon Film called “Barbarians”.
He’s a genuinely nice and funny guy… at the very least he’ll promote it well and be a good face for the franchise. He definitely has the physical traits for the job.
Has Momoa put on another 100 pounds of muscle that I don’t know about?
I totally agree – and the acting talent to handle all the aspects of the role.
too young– way to skinny and the hair has to go-UGh . what a mess
hair has already gone…went over a year ago. Is 30 years old, not much different in age when arnie did it, and is 6ft4.
Clearly to type of people you want either dont humanly exist or can’t act worth a damn to be able to make the film remotely decent.
i think he is repped at apa, now the question is how soon will he leave them
YIPPY!!! Perfect choice! I love Jason and am very happy for him. Can not wait for it!!! Stargate Atlantis movie next PLEASE!
To coin a familiar phrase: Indeed!
@yvonnjanae — Some guy attacked him in a bar and he was cut, but there’s just a tiny little scar left. The guy looks terrific. I met him at Dragon*Con last year and he’s way, way bigger than you’d think. And stunningly attractive, and also funny and very nice.
As for him playing Conan, I’m really pleased about this in part because according to this article, Millennium Films is saying that their version will “be more faithful to Howard’s original creation than were the Schwarzenegger films.” This is very good news to those of us who really, really dislike the Schwarzenegger versions. As commenter Robhiengler says, those were a poor parody of Howard’s Conon — here’s hoping Millennium and Jason Momoa can give us the real thing.
RB, you think Avatar is original? You mean Pocahontas 2: This Time They’re Blue?
Please.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Robert E Howard just rolled over in his grave and sent his buddy HP lovecraft ah message saying WHATTT DID THEY DO TO MY GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why doesn’t Avi Lerner just play the brute? No one’s going to see a film he produces anyway.
Doesn’t surprise me. Marcus Nispel had k. urban as a native american hacking up norsemen. He was soft and had a skinny guy gut. Howard is rolling over now. Hollywood just keep crapin out this stuff, I guess we will watch what you feed us. And to think I thought Roland Kickinger was a shoe in. Too bad.
TOO PUNY!!!!!I will be passing this movie up…Conan was a monster, not a scrawny Hawaiiaan/.
Is the Conan franchise really something that needs to be redone? I have no interest in this the original was fine (I only saw The Barbarian).
REH’s is supposed to resemble someone of celtic origin. Also is this guy planning on going to the gym anytime soon? Too Scrawny, Too pretty, snd dreads? Better start eating your wheaties bro! Terrible choice. Once again hollywood forgets the reach around! Worse than nipples on the batsuit!
Blame Twilight, there making teen steam movies, i even read there redoing spiderman as a highschooler, it the MONEY not the Art of a good movie after tons of books of a man you does what he want takes what he wants, i hope the people making this read 1 book please 1 book
And no need to bash on Momoa bash the people in charge
@zillah975 Do not be fooled. This film will not in the slightest way resemble anything close to what Robert E. Howard had written.