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EXCLUSIVE: CBS Films is gearing up on Consent to Kill, which is the Les Moonves film division's first shot at building a feature franchise. The tough part: making the right choice for undercover CIA counter-terrorism agent Mitch Rapp. But CBS Films is down to 3 intriguing candidates to star in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film. I hear CBS Films has set its sights on Gerard Butler, Colin Farrell and Matthew Fox.
Consent to Kill is one of the 11 bestselling Vince Flynn novels that combine political intrigue and action and driven by a lead character who possesses the killing machine qualities and ruthlessness of Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.
Butler is the front-runner right now, and seems ideal to play a man of action. Farrell hasn’t done a ton of action, but he impressed CBS Films CEO Amy Baer when he starred in SWAT, a project she supervised when she was a Columbia Pictures exec. The surprise is Fox, and I hear he has pursued the role aggressively as a next step after Lost finishes up. Fox hasn't been proven as an actor who can carry a feature franchise, but neither was Bruce Willis when he jumped from Moonlighting to Die Hard. CBS Films execs have had conversations with reps of actors that include Keanu Reeves, Eric Bana and Jon Hamm, but the focus is on the trio. No offers have been made and it's not certain that Butler or Farrell would take the role.
Though it isn’t the first novel in the espionage series, Consent to Kill is a strong way to start the series. In the Jonathan Lemkin scripted adaptation, Rapp battles a Saudi billionaire who is out for revenge (Rapp killed his terrorist son in the earlier book Memorial Day). Rapp has to contend with a German spy and a husband and wife assassin team who've been hired to kill him, along with bureaucrats in the government who want to do Rapp harm. All this puts Rapp’s wife and unborn child in grave danger, and when the stuff hits the fan, Rapp becomes a character reminiscent of Denzel Washington in Man On Fire. CBS Films was designed to make films up to $50 million, but this one will likely cost more. Since a summer start date is in the offing, the Rapp decision should be made shortly.
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Mitch Rapp and these Vince Flynn novels are terrific.
Gerard Butler best fits the profile of the character.
Now, all we have to hope is that Les Moonves doesn’t screw up this potentially great franchise with his ‘hands on’ approach to filmmaking.
Stay the hell out of this, Les, or Mitch Rapp will come and kick your ass!
Les Moonves is the worst kind of Hollywood blowhard, someone in power who thinks he is creative but doesn’t have a freakin’ clue. I know, this town is full of cheesemeisters, but Moonves is the worst of the lot.
Please please offer this role to Colin Farrell he is perfect 4 it. Butler is overplayed. I think the movie will do much better with Farrell as your star and as a plus he did most of his own stunts in American Outlaws, so the man is fearless,and he has grown up alot since becoming a father so you wont have to worry about the wild side coming out to destroy everything.He is perfect in every way and your film will make billions with him as your lead even if I along with the rest of his fan club have to go see the film 20x a pc or more just to put it at the top of the charts.
I couldn’t disagree more about Farrell in the role. Will Farrell would be better than Colin Farrell if the movies stay close to the book. Not thrilled with the other two either.
AMEN!!!!! I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WORKED WITH MOONVES. HE IS THE WORST. ON A MORE PLEASANT NOTE, GERARD BUTLER WOULD BE PERFECT FOR FLYNN’S CHARACTER. I LOVE THE BOOKS.
If anyone has read the books they’d agree that Farrell is too young… Fox can’t act..(I can’t believe he’s in the running) Butler is the right age and has the acting chops to pull it off..
If Clive Owen isn’t in the running I’ll cast my vote with Butler..
Gerard Butler has my vote. Colin Farrell is too short and Matthew Fox is just no.
My vote is for Matthew Fox. I think he has the right look and will work hard to play the part. I think he has the right personality as well. Good luck on the movie. There are a lot of Mitch Rapp fans out here, so don;t screw it up!
None of these guys work. Just because they show us three choices does not mean we have to accept them. I really don’t know who is out there, but please keep looking. He should be tall, dark, and handsome….a man’s man!
Gerard Butler definitely!
We so hope that CBS cast Gerard Butler. He deserves a hit, he needs it. I cross my fingers…
From the moment I heard Consent to Kill was going Hollywood, I immediately thought of Gerard Butler for the part of Mitch Rapp. He has the good looks and ruggedness required for the part. And, even though he has played mostly soft roles to date, he proved himself worthy of our favorite kick-a** guy when he co-starred in “Law Abiding Citizen”. He will definitely get the job done and will not disappoint Mr. Flynn’s Mitch Rapp fans. CBS … fulfill our fantasy and cast GERARD BUTLER.
I agree with Tom; why not let Vince Flynn have the major say in the actor!
The cat that plays Mitch needs to be so bad that he is a terrible enemy with whom to deal!
Forget ego and control freaks: let Vince have a MAJOR voice in this decision!
There is too much at stake here!!!!
If they mess it up, have a real Rapp-like cat kick all their backsides!
Mitch Rapp should be played by Sam Worthington
I think Hugh Jackman would do Mitch justice….
LOVE THE SERIES!!!! Our family will sit around at dinner and have this exact conversation over and over.
One popular person to fill the Role of Mitch I thought would be Cliff Curtis. Another would be Dominic Purcell.
I think both would do a great job of “pulling the cord” on the big screen.
They have to make the right decision – Gerard Butler would be EXCEPTIONAL in this role! It would help him show Hollywood what he’s REALLY made of!
Yes, please cast Butler. He’s not in enough movies as it is — he should change his name to Gerald Hackman
CBS Films is 0-2, let’s see how this one goes. Not very exciting choices for the lead. The force feeding of Butler on our movie screens has got to stop.
You mean Gerard Hackman …. yes, please pick the Butler…
The script is terrible. It reads like an early 90’s action film and involves American Unilateralism all over the world. It’s a terrible idea and it will have a terrible execution in the hands of Fuqua. It’s going to Gross as much as any of his films have, which should mean they’ll loose money on it.
“It’s going to Gross as much as any of his films have, which should mean they’ll loose money on it”
Shooter – budget $61 million- Gross $95 million worldwide
King Arthur – Budget $120 million Gross $203 million worldwide
Tears of the Sun – Budget $75 million – Gross $86 million worldwide
Training Day – Budget $45 milliom – Gross $104 milliom worldwide
That’s not adding the DVD gross for any of these films.A hitmaker he’s not, but I doubt he would continue to get directing jobs if all his films lost money.
I won’t even get into your simplistic understanding of film budgets (have you ever heard of publicity costs, P & A, how much of the gross studios actually get?) but Tears of the Sun not only ended up costing around 200 million but there are plenty of articles that were written about how that one movie was a major factor in the demise of Revolution Pictures and a main reason why Joe Roth moved to Seattle. So don’t even go there.
Oh, we have a Hollywood insider here.Ok, since you are in the know, what was the production and advertisement cost of all those films I listed.You can also listed the DVD sales totals and the percent in which the studios gets from them.
Oh, we have a Hollywood insider here.Ok, since you are in the know, what was the production and advertisement cost of all those films I listed.You can also list the DVD sales totals of the films and the percentage in which the studios gets from there sales.
Um, dude. I won’t even bother to take on your simplistic misunderstanding of film budgeting (have you ever heard of publicity costs, print costs etc, do you understand that studios do not get 100% of the gross? etc.) BUT – Tears of the Sun not only cost around 200 mil – but it is very well documented that it was one of the main reasons that Revolution went bankrupt and Joe Roth moved to Seattle.
Seriously, just Google Tears of the Sun and Revolution. If Hollywood was a restaurant where the waiters have to make up all the checks for the night Fuqua would never get to go home again. He’d be digging out for the rest of his life.
Fuqua is a nightmare of a director. He and Les Moonves will kill each other first.
This movie sounds DOA.
Normally I would say Gerard Butler or Colin Farrell should be cast in this role.
But since the movie will fail because it is a CBS Film, cast Matthew Fox. He is a douche bag.
I think Foxy would be great in the role. As an aside, why do people feel the need to insult someone they don’t even know? What are you, 12?
you’re right!
“Farrell hasn’t done a ton of action, but he impressed CBS Films CEO Amy Baer when he starred in SWAT, a project she supervised when she was a Columbia Pictures exec.” Perfect example of how Amy doesn’t know how to run a studio. They have more executives than they do any other employee and yet they can’t develop a damn thing. I hate her.
Amy’s going to spank you when you get home.
CBS Films is the new MGM without the library nor Bond.
I’m laughing at the idea taht Matthew Fox is even being considered in the same breath with either Gerard Butler or Collin Farrell. There’s no way he can carry this movie, much less this franchise.
Of those mentioned, I can see Gerard Butler as Rapp. First and foremost, let’s hope they get a good script.
Thank you. Matthew Fox is just terrible. Awful. He’s barely passable on the small screen. Every time I see him on a screen larger than 42″ I want to throw up.
Butler for the role!!!!
I hope they give it to Matthew Fox. So much better looking and cooler than Butler or Farrell.
Gerard Butler would be great in this role.
If I see that talentless neanderthal Gerard Butler in another movie theres gonna be dead bodies everywhere.
If they could work around his tv schedule, they should consider Jeffrey Donovan.
great idea — he would be perfect for this role. he is awesome on burn notice.
Great idea! You’re right. I thought they’d go with a real Movie Star for this role, but none of these names are in that league. Since they’re even considering a TV actor, Donovan would be a MUCH better choice than Fox!
Butler!
PLEASEEEEEEEEE It has to be Colin,He’ll be great for the role….
)
well more than great- PERFECT !!!
PLEASEEEEEE Colin
Butler would rock, but give Fox a chance. Will also be easier to keep under $50 million.
I’m also available.
You need credibility to establish this character.
Colin Farrell would be preposterous as Rapp. Check him out in “Phone Booth” — whiny and weak, he can do; ruthless tough guy? Forget about it. Weak eyes, weak chin. Completely wrong.
Matthew Fox doesn’t have the right look, either. Too pretty-boy. Rapp is supposed to have a bit of American Indian in him — craggier, rougher features. You need more gravitas and toughness than he projects.
But Gerard Butler not only has the right look; he has a track record as an action-hero type. He can do ruthless and bloody and brooding. Complete credibility for this kind of role. The producers and director would be idiots if they passed him by.
It all depends on whether they are stupid enough to disappoint the Rapp fan base, which would overwhelmingly pick Butler over the others.
Or you, right Robert? What’s your look? You got enough gravitas?
Phone Booth is not the only Farrell movie out there. The character he was playing was whiny and weak and the fact you believed him to be so just proves his talent as an actor. Look at Pride and Glory not whiny or weak at all in that and Alexander (hold ur jokes please it was a great film) was a strong character and took a lot of guts to play he needs this role to expand his somthing and let everyone know he can do anything. What about Tigerland,Amercan outlaws or In Bruges,Miami vice was a terriable script but not his fault. Butler is just a pretty boy I bet in real life Colin could kick his ass.
YOu are so right. Colin Farrell has the range to do any kind of movie…he can even sing. He can play sweet and mean at the same time (ask the dust) Mean and sociapathic yet still show he can love his family.(Pride and glory) He’s just a great actor and I can’t wait for Triage and Ondine to finally come out. Gerard Butler is getting everything and I’m getting a little sick of him.
Ha. You’re so right about Colin F.
I can’t believe they were in talks with KEANU for this though, LMAO.
Butler could pull it off physically, but he’s a dud as an actor.
Fox can definitely pull it off emotionally, but I don’t know if the execs want to do what’s best for the character or have a big name to cover their asses if they have a terrible script. He’s not a pretty boy, but I thought your comment was funny since his mother apparently has Native-American roots.
I actually thought Farrell would be great in the role but if Gerald Butler can bring intensity like he did in 300, look out. The books are amazing, so hopefully they do not screw this one up.
cbs should cast either steven seagal,bruce willis,or jason statman as mitch rapp.
Seagal is just a little old and out of shape for this role if you have seen him lately. Willis wouldn’t do it and be able to keep it anywhere close to the 50 million budget they set for this. Statman possibly.
At first I thought Colin, but he is to young especially considering which of the books they are starting with. I guess out of the three Butler would probably be the best choice of the three.
Colin Farrell is a joke that’s stopped being funny a long time ago.
I could see either Butler or Fox, but Butler isn’t very good at being intense AND complex at the same time. Fox does both great on TV, I’m sure it would transfer well to the big screen. He’s very good at being subtle and Rapp is more of a thinking man’s action hero. I could be OK with either him or Butler, just no Farrell, PLEASE!
No he’s not. He’s a character actor in the body of a leading man, and he’s been doing some fine work lately. In Bruges is brilliant, and he was great in Pride and Glory and Ondine.
How about WWE’s John Cena? He has 2 films under his belt that have done very well.
Jason Statham should play Rapp. Period. But out of the three you mention here, Colin Farrell has it all over them. If you want Colin at his most menacing, watch Pride & Glory w/ Ed Norton – it doesn’t get any scarier. Butler can’t do an American accent to save his fcking life – he’s a garbling douche who has hit a wall BIG TIME, the Anuston taint that’s now on him, after having starred in one of the worst movies of 2010 (Bounty C*unter), should insure that he stays far FAR away from any quality scripts. He sucks as an actor, and has all the muscle tone of a marshmallow and in the trailers for his latest monstrosity.
Transporter guy or Human Target guy….the rest won’t do!
It’s really hard to imagine that any idea could be worse than this one. I mean, the plot is exactly like the plot of several other movies that have failed in the last 2 or 3 years. All three of these actors are proven box office poison, Fuqua’s recent films have all failed and CBS doesn’t seem to known the first thing about making feature films. Unbelievable.
I guess my favorite quote is the head of development Amy Baer actually citing Colin Farrell’s work in SWAT. I mean at least if she said In Bruges I might not think she was a total idiot. How does this woman have a job that doesn’t require her to ask people if they want fries with their order.
Hollywood needs to learn a thing or two from The Green Zone flop. Vince Flynn has a decent-sized following and they will not take kindly to anti-American PC bullshit.
Flynn himself has said that he’s met with plenty of Hollywood producers and they all want to turn his ripped from the headlines terrorists that he researches obsessively and in depth with REAL counterterrorism agents into Hollywood’s idea of a bad guy: Dick Cheney. White Christian supremacists. ANYthing, but the real deal.
If they want to keep the movie under 50 mil. AND cast a good actor, Fox seems like the obvious choice.
lol, Green Zone was ‘anti-American PC bullshit”? How about historically accurate. Jeez, it was just 7 years ago this week, not really hard for most of us to remember the facts of our invasion of Iraq. Chalabi was a known con-artist and he fed Judy Miller all the bullshit in the film. Enough of the Fox Noise revisionism.
Josh Holloway is better than Matt Fox who is better than the other two.
Who the hell’s Holloway?
That’s right, I just realized only one of those three is American and Butler is terrible at accents. Gerry’s fun to get shitfaced with, but I’m not going to see a Mitch Rapp movie headlined by Gerry, I’d be in a fit of giggles the whole time. Love the books, cast Fox or someone else who can act and chew gum at the same time. That ain’t Gerry.
Who the hell is Holloway?
Do some research so you don’t appear so ignorant.
IS CRAZY!
CRAAAAZY
Colin can do tough. He did it in Miami Vice. He’s the best for this, and Matthew Fox is versatile and could pull it off. I don’t like Gerard Butler. I think his appeal to women is a thing of the past. He’s gotten wierd looking, and he is currently flopping with Jennifer Anniston.
colin is over. accept it hollywood. i will give cbs films and their idiot president one more year before its begging for jobs time.
Yeah, actors who are “over” generally win Golden Globes. Just because he isn’t on your blockbuster radar doesn’t make him over. He’s doing more lowkey work, and work he wants to be doing.
Gerard Butler is one of the worst actors out there.
anyone but him!1
I think Gerald Butler would be a great choice especially when compared with the other two, Fox and Farrell. Though I do not understand why hollywood would not find an unknown like they did with Christopher Reeves for Superman, Sean Connery for Bond. Also, I think Vince Flynn should have some input. If you saw the Biography Channel on Ian Flemming he was given a chance for value input on Connery for Bond.
But please ……………. most of all don’t let the Hollywood libs, F the story up, and script it in a way that America is bad like the
Jerks in Green Zone (I walked out) thought the movie was blamming merica.
If it parallels the books it does have a chance to be a franchise.
I still say Vince Flynn should start his own production company and run the show. I am sure his friend Rush would help and how about Clint Eastwood directing or producing it. He is a great patriot!
I TOTALLY AGREE!!!! And think Vince Flynn should start his own production company and don’t let CBS/HOLLYWOOD mess up the books!
I AGREE WITH YOU THAT VINCE SHOULD START HIS OWN PRODUCTION
COMPANY.AN THEN HAVE CLINT EASTWOOD DIRECT THE MOVIE AND ALSO HAVE
SOME ONE ELSE PLAY MITCH RAPP OTHER THAN MATHEW FOX.GET GERARD
BUTLER TO PLAY THE LEADING MAN HE IS PERFECT.
Love what you said, you are so right. You know the hollywood libs are going to try to make Rapp a bad guy. Eastwood directing would be awesome and Vince having tons of creative license should be a must. All these actors will ruin Mitch Rapp and I for one WILL NOT go see the movie unless they get a good representative of Rapp’s character. So far, if they use one of these 3 it will be a failure and that’s too bad.
The CBS idiot topper really wants Alan Ladd for the lead.
Wonders why he wont answer the phone.
the heck with butler and farrell, fox at least has the look down pat.
Why doesn’t CBS look at someone not as well known for this role? These other 3 guys — can’t see them as THE Mitch Rapp. Just won’t work. One of the old “Unit” actors like Max Martini or Scott Foley could do this role hands down.
I say, keep looking… I’ve enjoyed watching these actors in other works, but I still say CBS Films needs to keep looking…
The Mitch Rapp character needs something more than what these actors could deliver to the part…
Well, and neither could I..LOL
Another Arab terrorist movie?! Arent those so cliche by now- how about making the terrorist an Israeli – now that would be a breath of fresh air and accurate in the current times we live in!
You are F@ing kidding me right???? An Israeli terrorist ??? You are in definite need of a reality check bud.
I still believe in Mark Wakberg. He was very Mitch Rapp in Shooter
Needs to be like younger version of Clooney character in “Syriana”. Send George to Dr 90210.
Check out 300 and Shattered for intense. Butler could do this role if offered. He would be the best selection.
300, your joking right? That is the reason I think Butlrs an Idiot.He spits through the whole movie if an actor cant be intense with out spitting when he talks hes not the right choice.
Please, choose Matthew. He’s excellent actor and very handsome. Would love to see him on film as the protagonist. I’m brazilian girl and fan of Matthew. I like Colin Farrell, but he has done many action movies and Gerard has not nothing to do. Pleeease!!!
Please, choose Matthew. He’s excellent actor and very handsome. Would love to see him on film as the protagonist. I’m brazilian girl and fan of Matthew. I like Colin Farrell, but he has done many action movies and Gerard has not nothing to do. Pleeease!!!
PLEASE keep the script parallel to the books! You have ONE opportunity to do the right thing with this movie. The books are incredible and the reason they did so well is the plot & of course Vince Flynn’s writing. DO NOT CHANGE THE BOOK/SCRIPT! I think Channing Tatum should be Vince Flynn!!!!
One more point… the reason the “Bourne” movies sucked is they weren’t even CLOSE to the books & Matt Damon did not fit Jason Bourne’s character at all! I saw one and will never put my money towards those movies because they did not follow book.
Butler! Butler! Butler!
regarding constant to kill: Also think about jason statman in crank, kiefer sutherland in 24 , and gerald butler those three guys only I think these guys would be the best ones for the role of mitch rapp not fox or farrell. farrell was good in swat short but need to be taller, non unspoken face which he does not have like mitch rapp has. fox noway at all very bad choice all together you be making if you chose him so don’t. if you know what I mean by unspoken face, it’s hard to explain but that’s what he has and people are scared of this. who have to knkow what this is to understand it. sorry if you don’t. It makes a good peroson like statman, sutherland, butler think baout this hard. just don;t make the wrong chorse or you wont have a good movie.
thank you marilyn j.
All three suck big time! Gerard Butler… he’ll be around a lot less in a few years. He can’t open a movie, he’s not hot, he means nothing to people. He’s been in too many C movies lately too. Bounty Hunter doesn’t help. Colin Farrell…. if he was a major star who could headline a franchise, it would have happened by now! Nothing exciting there. And Matthew Fox is the most interesting of the three because it’d be different to see him headline a movie… but he’s so boring!! CBS needs to approach movies different from their boring TV shows that, despite ratings, generate little buzz. Movies need buzz to succeed.
All three of these of these actors ARE COMPLETELY WRONG for playing Mitch Rapp, PLEASE! Adrian Paul would have been perfect for this role but none of these guys, I won’t even watch this movie if Colin Farrell or Matthew Fox are in it. Gerard Butler maybe but I doubt it. Colin is too short and will never pull off this role Matthew Fox is too wussy for it and Gerard Butler looks too soft. They need a real tough guy and none these 3 even come close. Crappy casting to say the least, maybe these idiots should have read ALL the books first then they might know what I’m talking about. What a fricken joke!!!!!!!!
Why does everone have an issue with Colins height? Thats whay cameras are for look at arnold he was the Terminator and he is almost a midget van Dam is also short and Cruise. And he is starting to lookalot older lately so age shouldnt be an issue either. When they were discussing who should play Edward in Twighlight people wanted Orlando Bloom and Henry Cavil they said Rpats couldnt pull it off but now look he is EDWARD CULLEN and his name is now big enough to bring in the headliners So dont judge it until you see it I think Colin could def pull it off. WAtch Pride and Glory
Personally, I don’t know anything about this “Consent to Kill” or any of the other Vince Flynn novels but feel that Colin Farrell would be an excellent choice for this role. He is a very talented actor that has up until recently been so underrated. He can do anything he sets out to do. If tough is what you need, he can do it…”Pride & Glory”. If wimpy & whiny is what you need, he can do it…”Phone Booth”. If you want dark comedy, he can do it…”In Bruges”. If you want a good actor to be your Mitch Rapp…COLIN FARRELL is your man! Hopefully the role is offered to him & he accepts it.
Russell Crowe has the size, age and craggy/intense face for the part plus we all know he likes to start fights.
Gerard Butler is an OAF. Pulease. Dreadful actor.
Look for CBS films to quietly fold in the next two to three…
Us shareholders like what Les has done for TV… but his movie taste leads much to be desired.
lemkin nailed it!
I’m for the The Butler, as I have followed his career and have seen the depth to which he can go. Great Actor and good at playing the action as well as the romantic stuff. Why else would Rafe Fiennes have picked him for the Shakesperean role of Tullus Aufidius in Coriolanus. Sorry you other guys but no comparison.
Joan (HUG) xxxx
I really could care less if Gerard Butler gets this role… after seeing movies like “The Ugly Truth” and “Bounty Hunter”, he just annoys the crap out of me and I don’t find him attractive at all.
Whoever said Farrell is a joke IS the one that is a joke. Farrell has cleaned up greatly since his wild days and keeps impressing me as actor. He’s been choosing interesting roles lately and is great in all of them – “In Bruges”, “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”, and “Crazy Heart”. I also saw part of “Hart’s War” and he was good in that as well. If this is going to become like the new, action Bourne-type series, then I think Colin Farrell would be a good choice for the role. Since we don’t have Matt Damon doing the Bourne movies anymore, we need a new captivating leading man in action. Colin Farrell is underrated, improving with each movie, charismatic, and handsome.
I don’t know who Matthew Fox is, though. In a way, I want Colin Farrell to get the role because he’s doing such interesting parts and movies now, and this franchise might be crappy…
^ I meant “in a way, I DON’T want Colin Farrell to get the role” ^
Sounds like a TV movie. A stiff. What forgettable junk this town is putting out.
Farrell and Butler for an American CIA agent? Both do atrocious American accents. Isn’t it possible to find an American actor to play this role? After seeing how god-awful Butler in The Bounty Hunter you’d think CBS would re-think any plans of giving him the role. Yes, it’s an action film, but frankly Butler has stunk in all his movies since 300.
As for Matthew Fox – he’s very popular in Lost and that show ending is going to leave a lot of Lost obsessives a reason to go to the movies. And frankly he couldn’t screw it up any more than Butler and Farrell could – and at least he’s an American and the accent won’t sound like the actor’s choking on his tongue while talking.
I’d like to suggest a name for CBS Films to consider: I saw this guy in a small role in Changeling a couple of years ago and he NEEDS to be a bigger star – his name is Michael Kelley. He played Det. Lester Ybarra, the police officer who defied his bosses while tracking down the serial killer who possibly killed the son of Angelina Jolie’s character. Ironically he was also in Law Abiding Citizen with Gerard Butler. Hollywood needs to start thinking outside the box and quit going with the same tiresome actors over and over again – especially ones without proven box office records. None of these guys listed above can deliver a huge opening, so why not go with a better actor than just plain eye candy?
There is no doubt that Colin Farrell is the man to play this roll. He has done action roles (Phonebooth, The Recruit, In Bruges) and I feel that he is excellent in them. The most recent film in which Colin was the star was “Pride and Glory.” Now if that’s not action, I don’t know what is. The other two up for this role couldn’t carry it if it had handles! COLIN FARRELL all the way!!
I hope GB doesn’t take the role if it is offered…I have TRIED to read those dreadful books and can’t get past the fact they read less like a good thriller/action piece and more like painfully heavy handed propoganda. My entire family has worked in the military and intelligence community and I could almost wonder if Dick Cheney doesn’t ghost write those books! If anyone is going to play Rapp they better find someone who won’t be inclined to vomit over the ultra conservative BS that will have to be loaded into the script to make it at all true to the book. Swim away Gerard!
I think Colin is too short. Mitch has to be 6′1″, 190 pounds of solid muscle and very intimidating. Mitch is 33 years old in Consent to Kill, so age shouldn’t be a problem for any of them. I would have really loved to see someone who has the look and some real acting chops, like Brad Pitt or Edward Norton.
The bottom line in all of this is $. Like him or not the man brings in the money (even the Gamer who did not do as well in the movies was #1 on its release in DVD, his fan base is world wide and for the most part he attracks press (good or bad). When looking at 300 what else was offered to him? Or what did his people select for him? He has proven he can act in any genre and is now taking on the classics. Not many actors take on Shakespeare now adays. From a business stand point Butler would be a perfect selection. He was up for Bond but was not that well known then.
If these are the 3, I vote Butler. Having read all the books and considering each actors work, Rapp has a bit of a temper at times, and I think Butler can best summon that type of anger. Glad to see they are finally moving on this series, they picked a solid director for it.
WHAT THE…?????
NONE of these dudes are capabible of filling the shoes of MITCH RAPP. i’ve read the entire series… it’s so obvious that mitch rapp, as described by his creator and thru his exploits… is JOHN SENA, big, strong, silent, STEALTHY…
these three WIMPS can’t handle the part!
just what were you thinking, CBS???
arggggggggggggg!!!
ooooooooooooh yes, Collin Farrell
Gerard Bulter hands down. I can’t really see Fox in that role or Collin for that matter even though I think he is really talented. I love Butler’s work and he is able to play so many sides believably, he just keeps getting bigger. I’m excited to see who they pick.
Our friend told us about this site. We would like 4 votes for Gerard Butler. He needs something to sink his teeth into, I (Colleen) read this book and think he would fit hand in glove. Fox can not give the depth this role needs, Collin would not be a good fit at all. We read Donald Southerland, talk about over exposure, he’ld just be playing his role in 24 which we don’t feel was good.
Jason Straham would be my pick. My big fear is not the actor but the adaptation of the story. Rapp (for those who have not read the books)is like an early Jack Bauer on 24, aggressive with a very stark good/evil view of the world and our countries enemies. He will do whatever it takes to protect his country. About 99% of Hollywood would be unable to get the tone right, because this is not their belief system. Hell the Flynn books have promo quotes from Limbaugh, Beck and others…. If CBS makes this pc and fills it up with a bunch of liberal propaganda they will screw this up royally and end up with Green Zone II.
Butler would be absolutely horrible in the role as would Fox. Colin could pull off Rapp
colin farrell all the way
I definitely vote for Gerard Butler. My mom and I read the books and are always talking about who could play Mitch Rapp. We could never come up with the right actor until the other night (before my sister sent me this link) and when I saw Gerard Butler on one of the late night shows. I called my mom and said “I found Mitch Rapp” and it was Gerard Butler. She was thinking the same thing. He is the right mix of whatever Mitch Rapp has to be to blend in to do what he has to do wherever he has to do it (he can either be an American, a European, a Middle Easterner). Colin Farrell is a wonderful actor, but I think he comes off too much as a “bad boy” to have the ability to blend in like Mitch Rapp needs to do. Also Colin Farrell is not the right build for Mitch Rapp. The other actors mentioned, including Colin Farrell, could play the Scott Coleman (former speical forces characters). I did not know who John Sena was, so I looked him up. He is too big, muscular and outwardly imposing to be Mitch Rapp. Matthew Fox or John Sena could definitely be Scott Coleman as I always picture him to be a tall, muscular and imposing character.
I also agree with several posts that this story CANNOT be ruined with Hollywood liberal politics. If there is any chance of Hollywood liberals ruining these stories, I’d rather not see it on the big screen and will be very happy to keep reading the books and picturing Gerard Butler as Mitch Rapp and the other actors mentioned as the various special forces characters.
One more thing, I’m confused about what book they are making a movie out of. Two different books are mentioned above. Also the description of the plot includes things that happened in two different books: The Third Option and Consent to Kill.
One more idea……Eric Bana as Mitch Rapp.
All of these guys are wrong for the part. I think that Eric Bana is the perfect character for Rapp. He’s got the right look. He did well in “Munich” as well as his Delta Force Operator role in “BlackHawk Down”. I hope this movie doesn’t turn out like “Shooter”
Gerard Butler is Mitch Rapp
As a suggestion to the directors/producers of this film, and a huge fan of the Mitch Rapp series, I would love to see Allison Janney as Irene Kennedy…
When it comes for Mitch Rapp, I couldn’t think of anyone but Gerald Butler. For lots of comments above, We shouldn’t forget that Mitch’s character is better presented, not by the many likeable poster boy, too young or handsome Hollywood shots. I think we need an actor with some ruggedness, who holds a cobination of the look and the character as well. Choosing from the top Three, I strongly suggest “Gerald Butler” by far.
Fox, Butler, Farrell? I vote none of the above. My choice is Jim Caviezel.
Jon Hamm IS Mitch Rapp!
No way!!!
To Les Moonves: CHANGE THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!!!! And it didn’t exactly help having a flagship film that felt like a really bad TV movie from the 80’s. CHANGE. THE . NAME.
Christian Bale is my first pick. He is such a good actor, but isn’t so overexposed. He also has the physical characteristics of Mitch Rapp. Eric Bana is another great choice.
Sam Worthington seems well suited for this role. Fox, no way. Farrell, maybe. Butler, getting closer. If done right this is a nice franchise. Doesn’t have to be a huge star. This Jack Ryan all over again for somebody. Please don’t screw this up.
Could Lance Armstrong pull off the roll of Mitch?
After reading the comments above, I would love to see Matthew Fox playing the role of Mitch Rapp. He’s the right build, got the right skin complexion, dark hair etc.
We need a character that wouldn’t look out of place walking down a normal American street, but also wouldn’t look out of place in some alley in the middle of Baghdad.
Dunno how the characters going to be played but the famous Mitch Rapp is fluent in Arabic and can also speak numerous European languages, I would say a pretty intelligent actor would be required. Matthew Fox ’seems’ the most likely out of the 3 mentioned. Also hope the film follows the exact structure of the book, it will be a travesty otherwise.
betcha all a buck the picture never gets made…
the middle eastern sovereign wealth funds that
have bought hollywood over the past 5 years will
send this franchise into development hell.
if mitch can figure a way out, maybe he will
save us. good luck!
Mitch Rapp should be played by someone fresh, not one of the same old movie stars we’ve seen way too many times. Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”) is perfect for the role. He’s got the look, the voice, the attitude, and he can out act the 3 so-called stars in his sleep. And hey, he’s got lots of experience nailing demons. And forget any crap about not having the experience to carry a feature film. This guy has talent and presence to spare. Actually, it doesn’t matter that CBS will go with the same old superstar, ’cause they’ll screw the whole thing up anyway. There is no way Hollywood can do justice to Mitch Rapp.