'Conan' Review Thread (Spoilers)

[GreenScar]

Update Aug 3

Marcus Nispel Talks ‘Conan The Barbarian’ Remake

conan.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPQ99y8KaTU

Awhile back the Conan The Barbarian fan site Conan The Movie Blog sent out a list of fan question to director Marcus Nispel (Friday The 13th, Pathfinder) about his upcoming Conan remake. Much to their surprise, Nispel answered back!

In the “exclusive interview” Nispel discusses how he views Conan as a character, what made him take on the remake and why this modern version has to be different from the 1980s film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Conan fans be sure to check it out.

Later in the interview Nispel addresses such concerns as whether or not the sword fighting in the film will be Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon pretty or violent gritty and what themes of the original Robert E. Howard stories will be brought into the remake. You can check out the interview in full by going here.

I like the sound of Nispel’s Conan. From what I’m gathering, his approach will be less flashy CGI f/x and more a throwback to the days of good substantive filmmaking. Personally, I need a Conan The Barbarian movie to have the feeling of sweat, grime and blood - not sterile green screens. Plus, audiences would be able to smell the stink of a 300-wannabe version of Conan from a mile away. Too much CGI would likely be a death-knell for this remake.

For now, check out the interview with Marcus Nispel and let us know what you think in the comments.

Conan The Barbarian is tentatively slated for a 2010 release… But we’ll see if that holds.

Interview with Marcus Nispel

How important is it to you to stick to the Conan character of the original REH stories?

The character of Conan is what most attracted me to this project. He is the last of the reality-based superheroes and the most unapologetic one at that. I find that refreshing in these politically correct times.

Did you read the REH Conan stories, and if so, which one is your favorite story and why?

I have no favorite story – the character is what intrigues me, following him through life.

What do you think are the predominant qualities of the Conan character?

Well, it’s all spelled out on the opening page. Conan is “a man of great mirth and great melancholy”. Though, I had to look up what “mirth” meant, I certainly dig the melancholy aspect. To me, that really sets Conan apart from other heroes.

What are your thoughts on the previous Conan films? What did you like or dislike?

The original “Conan” movie was written by two master storytellers, Oliver Stone and John Milius, giving us a tough act to follow! Their movie also features the best beheading ever in a major motion picture. Besides, perhaps “Let the Right One In”, which is another perfect example of creativity over special effects.

Like all movies they have to be understood in the context of the time they were produced. Our collective consciousness changes every generation, though and we can’t step into the same river twice. “Conan the Barbarian” was initially released in the disco era, on the heels of “Star Wars” and “The Empire Strikes Back”. The original film must have hit people like a freight train upon its release. Today is a different time entirely. As a society, we are more cynical in times of depression. We have been overfed with high gloss and contrived CG imagery and seek something we can grasp. As our consciousness has shifted, so will the image of Conan.

What guidelines for the actor who portrays Conan would you give to your casting director?

We’re not interested in doing an Arnold look-alike contest!

What are your thoughts on the REH themes (”barbarism vs civilization” and “existentialism”)

As I already said, we are all getting a little fed up with our own civilization. I’m guilty of several remakes, but am fully aware that a remake of great material does not automatically equal success. A movie like this needs to hit the zeitgeist.

In all of my movies, I am drawn to tribal behavior since I grow easily bored with the antiseptic world in which we live. I like to give people a second hand idea of what its like to have dirt under your fingernails. Most of all, I like getting dirt under my nails making it! I want to create a cathartic experience!

Are you aiming for an ‘R’ rating with this movie?

I’d love to do the x-rated version!

What do you have in mind for sword fights? More asian swirling swords, or more realistic fighting?

Conan is no Errol Flynn and there will be no “frozen moments”, but he will spar with a host of characters that fight in their unique own ways. We all know that Hyboria is an ethnically diverse world. Conan will have to adapt his style slightly to conquer them.

Will you aim to make a movie with varied pacing and different emotional moods, or a high-paced action epic?

I will include different emotional moods in a high-paced action epic. One approach need not exclude the other.

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Well looks like this is now on the fast track. Marcus Nispel has signed on to direct and it's an interesting choice. Nispel has directed Pathfinder and Friday the 13th (2009) so he's no stranger to slashing and bloodletting.

Here's the news:

The meetings have been taken. The lists have been winnowed. The director has been signed.

Marcus Nispel will direct Conan the Barbarian. I get this from an impeccable source, one who assures me that this isn't speculation or rumor. Nispel has signed on the line that is dotted.

This moves Conan into the next gear; the movie looked like it might stall when Brett Ratner, who had been developing it for Millenium for some time, backed out of the project. The company still wanted to shoot as early as this summer, but without a director or a star things looked rough for the production. Now that Nispel is on board things can get back to moving forward, although I don't know if an August start date is still in the cards.

We should be getting an announcement on just who is playing the Barbarian himself soon, though. I've been hearing that an unknown will be the way Millenium and Lionsgate go.

I'm assuming that Nispel stepping in on Conan means his Dracula midquel, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, is getting back burnered.

[Mike53421]

And to think I thought this was a discussion thread about the Tonight Show, I hear Norm Macdonald is/was on this week...

[Elvis]

We need this film why?

[MCT]

man I would have loved to get a King Conan movie. Arnold playing a surly, haggard barbarian warrior king would have been cool as hell.

[Belloche]

I hate Marcus Nispel's stuff. Count me out. What's John Milius doing these days ? Conan the Barbarian is one of my favorite eighties flicks.

[neos_peace]

HMMM I don't know how I feel about that. interisting.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by MCT

man I would have loved to get a King Conan movie. Arnold playing a surly, haggard barbarian warrior king would have been cool as hell.

I'm with you on this one.

[toddr78]

I want a Red Sonja remake

Only kidding...really.

[redtornado]

I remember all the talk about Vin Diesel taking over the role. This has been taking forever to get off the ground.

Now the sequel to "Sword and the Sorcerer" would be nice too.

[JonD7]

Originally Posted by toddr78

I want a Red Sonja remake

Only kidding...really.

Robert Rodriguez has been making Red Sonja for awhile now, lol... and I think it'll be awesome, the first was funny as heck tho.

[tbizzle]

Nispel did a good job with Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but Pathfinder was godawful. I'm seriously hoping he doesn't f**k this up, he should get Millius on board as an advisor or something

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Elvis

We need this film why?

Because there are many Conan fans who would like to see it, like me for example. That is why we need this movie. If you are not interested when it's release I will give you a hint, don't go see it.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Looks like Roland Kickinger might be cast as Conan.

http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/200...rzenegger.html

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Because there are many Conan fans who would like to see it, like me for example. That is why we need this movie. If you are not interested when it's release I will give you a hint, don't go see it.

Yep I will still be watching the Original....

[kernel_thai]

Krom protect us.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Looks like Roland Kickinger might be cast as Conan.

http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/200...rzenegger.html

I was shocked when I read this. Then I found this:

I personally don't do debunk stories but it gives me great pleasure to debunk The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz Blog story tonight on the casting of CONAN.

Guess what folks?

Roland Kickinger as Conan IS COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLSHIT!

NOT ****ING TRUE!

Trust me guys, I have a super solid source at both Lionsgate and Millenium and they laughed their asses off!

Folks, Lionsgate hasn't even hired a casting director yet!

Kickinger as Conan?! Folks, think how on the nose and ludicrous that sounds.

Whatever!

Trust me on this one please!

I hope they take this movie seriously. I'm all for a faithful adaptation of Conan

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Yep I will still be watching the Original....

As will I because I love them both but I sure would love to have a new one as well.

[mjbethancourt]

This sounds like it could be fun. I loved the original 'Conan the Barbarian', and there's more than enough material among the short stories to make plenty of films without stepping on the toes of the old classic. Hey, Greenscar: any rumors at all as to what story (or stories) they might be doing?

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

This sounds like it could be fun. I loved the original 'Conan the Barbarian', and there's more than enough material among the short stories to make plenty of films without stepping on the toes of the old classic. Hey, Greenscar: any rumors at all as to what story (or stories) they might be doing?

I don't think the story is complete yet. If it is, they've kept a lid on it so far. The only thing I could find was: The tale of Conan the Cimmerian and his adventures across the continent of Hyboria.

I do hope they stick closer to the source material and try not to modernize it. I want a Conan Epic.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

I do hope they stick closer to the source material and try not to modernize it. I want a Conan Epic.

+1, hope they don't ruin it like most everything else. I would probably never see it if they went crazy and actually casted Roland Kickinger