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Michael Bay to direct Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Posted on Friday, April 13th, 2007 by Peter Sciretta

Prince of Persia

Michael Bay (Transformers) will re-team with producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Bad Boys, The Rock, Pearl Harbor, Armageddon) to direct the big screen adaptation of the popular video game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, according to IESB. Could this mean that we will finally get a half-way descent video game movie adaptation? I think so. Disney hopes to have the film in theaters for a Summer 2009 release.

Prince of Persia is a third-person action adventure video game which follows an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. The Sands of Time was released in late 2003 and is a continuation to the landmark PC game series Prince of Persia, created by Jordan Mechner in 1989. The game was praised for its visual design and finely tuned game mechanics, and won several awards. The game’s success led to a 2004 sequel, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, and another sequel, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones in 2005.
The initial script was written by Jordan Mechner with subsequent drafts by Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Mechner has revealed that the movie will not be a straight beat-for-beat adaptation of the videogame, but will instead take “some cool elements from the game and using them to craft a new story - much as ‘Pirates’ [of the Caribbean] did with the theme park ride.”

Rumors of The Prince’s casting have already exploded across the internet. Names have ranged from John Abraham, Brendan Fraser and Barry Watson, to David Zandi and Josh Somerhalder. Some people have even thrown Howard Stern’s American Idol Loser turned winner Sanjaya Malakar into the mix. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. I’m all for them ruining Idol (who isn’t) but not another video game movie.

Disney released some production art from the project earlier this year, check it out below:

Concept Art Removed at request of Disney

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Action/Adventure, Disney/Pixar, Video Game, 

  • they better do the video game justice, but I'm sure they'll cop out and we'll see Vin Diesel reprise the role of the prince [lame]
  • OMG John Abraham would be the absolute BEST for this film..
  • Gamer974
    Viggo Mortensen aka aragorn in the lord of the ring trilogy would suit the prince well ..
    in some pics from the game, the two characters look alike :)
  • das
    Can't wait!!!
  • I agree John Abraham would be awesome in this film.
  • jason
    vote for john abraham ... he looks damn cool for this role ... everything is just perfect for him for this role..
  • kunal
    woh i like the idea of john...but viggo mortensen be perfect..since he looks old .i hope they pick someone else young for the first movie sands of time....all in all...i know warrior within's story line will be super hit...without doubt...
  • I think its a great idea to have a POP movie! There hasn't been a decent arabian movie since Lawence of Arabia came out so many years back. The movie world is way over due for one! I imagine it will be heavily influenced by the Arabian Nights tales. And if Merchner is involved then I think the movie will do well.
    But I truly believe that the movie deserves fresh new talent. No one knew Orlando Bloom existed until after the Lord Of The Rings. I think if the POP movie is done right whoever plays the role of the prince will be an instant star! But a new face/talent will make the Prince character more believeable.
  • crazytakci
    I think there are a lot of choices, but I hope they would cast a middle eastern or
    persian for this role. The games are amazing and have huge potential. wow this
    john abraham would be cool. I think a unknown actor would be great. I also came across this guy, kal parekh. Ive seen his film, he is a pretty good actor and reletivly unknown, I think if he works out and has longer hair he would be perfect. check out his imdb page.
    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2265118/
  • emmy
    john abraham is perfect!!! If they cast another I'll die!!
  • crazytakci
    Ya ive seen John abraham, he cant act if his life depended on it, he is not a real actor, he is a model, try to keep your infatuations of actors out of the picture and really think about what the prince is really like. he is a small guy, not a big built
    guy. Have you played the prince of persia games. He cant be a big guy or too small or too dark, and an unknown. all this has been discussed to death on the IMDB boards.They have went through all the actors imaginable and some one found this guy and I totally agree with him. So it all leads
    me back to Kal. He is also one of the top choices on the IMDB boards and for the right reasons. He's perfect.
  • sid
    I wud say Orlando Bloom wouls suit the role of the prince well..........
  • mtd
    this thing was my idea f*** stole it was planing to make a movie on it and was
    think of casting him(john a)
  • Jay01
    Need I mention Pearl Harbor?
    Too late, I already did. Yay for Hollywood!
  • Mars
    Mmmm... how about Mark Dacascos? He's a martial arts expert.
  • I think Zarif K. Sadiqi would be perfect for the prince–he definitely has the look.
    he is a afghan/persian actor and model.

    http://img7.modelmayhem.com/070509/00/464149690...
    http://img7.modelmayhem.com/070405/02/46149385e...
    http://img7.modelmayhem.com/070405/02/461498415...
  • anahita
    Umm how about actually casting an Iranian for the role??!
  • Anahita
    I wish you , Europeans and Americans , would finally understand the fact that Persians were not Arabs . Persians are Aryans so if they are going to make a movie about a Persian , an unknown Persian actor is the best choice , not an Arab . Even Indians match better than Arabs .

    My own suggestions are :

    1_ Mohammad Reza Golzar

    2_ Bahram Radan

    My reasons are :

    1_ They are Persians
    2_ They are new faces and unknown
    3_ They are talented
    4_ According to their ages , they can play all three parts

    Just search for them , then you'll accept me .
  • Sincerity
    Anahita,

    I totally agree that the prince would best be played by a Persian, unknown actor! But be careful with what you say about others. Like when you said this: " I wish you, Europeans and Americans, would finally understand..." Not all Europeans and Americans are ignorant to the fact that Persians are Iranians. ( you mispelled the word Iranian, by the way)

    Remember that we're talking about a movie... not who will be the next president. And we all hope this movie will do well but video games haven't been too successful in the past. The last Pirates of the Caribbean movie did not do well here in the United States so we'll see what happens.

    By the way, I liked your suggestions for actors to play the prince. I think of the two my favorite is Mohammad Reza Golzar. He has beautiful eyes!
  • Anahita
    To Sincerity

    I didn’t really mean that , but mostly westerns and specially Hollywood do not pay attention to the differences between a Persian and an Arab and it will damage the movie .

    Have you seen 300 , Alexander , One night with the king ? Comparing with Persians in ruins of Persepolis you can find no similarities to these movies . If the name of the game was “ Prince of Arabia “ I would choose an Arab with Arabian look , clothes and traditions . you know what I mean ?

    You said “ There hasn’t been a decent arabian movie since Lawence of Arabia came out so many years back. “ and “ I imagine it will be heavily influenced by the Arabian Nights tales. “

    All these shows that you don’t know Iranians and the origin of the book “ Hazar afsan “ ( you call it Arabian nights by mistake ) . Thats the reason I decided to give some information . Almost in all web sites and comments on this , many viewers are making this kind of mistakes .

    I just want to ask you to search . This movie is very important for me and I don’t want it to be destroyed . I want it to be more reliable .

    I didn’t want to bother anyone and if I did , I do apologize .

    Lets go back to the movie . I think Golzar is a good choice .
  • To Anahita

    I agree with what you said, but there is one thing that is confusing me.
    The Prince's home is Babylon...that was part of Mesopotamia...nowadays Iraq.
    So technically, either the game producers made a mistake and it should really
    be called the 'Prince of Mesopotamia' and thus coincidently be played by an
    Arab, or if Persian, then played by a Persian. But for this movie, I think they can
    go either way, with Arab or Persian, or anyone who at least looks it.
  • Anahita
    To yoshi

    I don’t want to change the topic in to history but some details are necessary to be explained .

    You are right . Babylonians were and are Arabs but In the year 529 BC Babylon was captured by Persian Emperor , Cyrus the great and Babylon became one of the most important provinces of Persian empire . So , the governors of this city were selected by the emperor of Persia and most of them were Persian generals and the city was protected by the Persian militaries .

    The first Persian prince who ruled Babylon was the crown prince , “ Cambyses “ ( son of Cyrus ) . Even the name Bagdad comes from the name of a Persian governor who was called “ BAGA DATHA “ .

    If the prince’s home was shown Turkey , Afghanistan , Pakistan , Egypt , Armenia or . . . in the game , it wouldn’t make any problem because these were all captured by Persians and Persian Princes and governors ruled them during those times .
  • To Anahita,

    Lol, thanks for that explanation, and yeah it does get kind of sticky in that sense.
    So long as they get someone good for the part then I think that is what really matters, Persian, Arab, English, or European. But it would be cool if they could really get a Persian to do the role, it would make sense after all.

    Can't wait though.
  • Anahita
    I am thinking about prince’s name in the movie . What are they going to call him ?

    I have some suggestions :

    1- Arash 2- Batis 3- Houman 4- Siavosh 5- Sourena

    These names are Persian and are simple and easy to pronounce .

    I wish they would notice our suggestions about the actor or the other details , but it doesn't seem so .
  • Arash sounds cool, but yeah as with all movie productions, and pretty much everything, the publics opinion doesn't usually count, and no, they won't listen to us, and instead get it all wrong. Oh well. they just better bloody well do a good job.

    I wonder who they're gonna get to play Farah now that we're on the topic.
  • Anahita
    Wow , Who is going to play as Farah ?

    That’s a very GOOD and HARD question .

    Well , I think there is no suitable one in Hollywood and if there is , I don’t know her .

    Perhaps …………. Aishwarya Rai ( Indian actress and miss world 1994 ) will take the role , but I’m not sure about her at all . I have also heard that Monica Belluci is going to do the job .

    I have been always thinking about the prince . I have no good idea right now and I have to think more about Farah .
  • Hey

    OMG yeah, I know, Aishwaria Rai is a good actress, but she's just not Farah, I'm not sure who they're gonna get, I just hope they end up with a good casting.
    I get so paranoid before these things come out, like with books I've read, or video games I've played, I just get scared that they're gonna completely stuff it up.
    Oh well, here's hoping...
  • Anahita
    Yes you are right . I have the same feelings and I have always been disappointed . ( Specially when they make a movie about the history of my country . Fortunately , this one is not going to be historical . This is just a story based on my favorite game . )

    And about Aishwarya rai . I agree with you . I just named her because I actually had no idea . I have to think more but as I said Monica Belluci has involved the project . I have read it somewhere .

    I also hope they will have a good casting . We have to wait . May be they disappoint me again but I will still remain a great fan of it .
  • LMAO, yeah it'll probably be the same with me, as with everything else, no matter how sucky they make the movies, and how much i obsess over the books or games and then compulsively criticize the adaptations, i still end up obsessing over them just as much...yes I'm a hopeless case, LMAO. It was the same with Harry Potter.
  • Sergio
    If any one knows when the casting is taking place, please let me Know. I am an unknown actor, and I Know I can perfectly fit with this character, if you want to se my picture please reply to sergio_nambo_seiya@yahoo.com.mx
  • Hey hey Sergio

    Wow, I wish I could see ur pic, the link didn't come up...some error or crap, but wicked, I am actually communicating with someone who may be the Prince of Persia *SCREAMS*!!!
    Lol, nah I don't know when the casting is going on, I think they are in the process of doing it now actually. Although I am not sure if they are indeed holding auditions, or if they are just going to randomly choose someone. Do you have an agent? Or would you be able to contact them directly. I'd say get in touch with Jerry Bruckheimer productions, as a start, and then I wish you all the best.
    Luv Yoshi
  • Parinaz

    I absolutely agree with anahita ,, an Iranian actor is the best choice to take the role in the prince of persia , actully I phoned to mr. bruckhimiers office to tell him or his assisstants the idea but unfortunately the secretary told me that its illegal and the company doesnt accept any suggestions!! and its impossible to talk to them about it,, after a few ph. calls I just could leave 2 mess. I personally think Golzar is the best choice also enough famouse professional we hope they be enough considerate to study about Iranian icons as well .

  • Nicolai
    I don't know why you ppl are saying Iranian actor is the best choice when they can actually cast a Persian. Personally I don't care what ethnicity the actor is, as long as they are actors not models and have all the prince's qualities. I think crazytakci said it best, and I check out his link, Kal Parekh seems like a great choice. Viggo? come on ppl. I would'nt mind if they had Aishwarya rai though, I saw her film mistress of spices, she was gorgeous and would work as farah or the other girl in the game.
  • DREAM
    OMGSH they r using real people SUCKS they should make it animation UH no one can play the righ troles I bet u that!
  • Dream
    John Abram would not be able to play this role I am sure of it and he doesn't even look like a persian OMGSH !
  • Dream
    Vin Diesel doesn't looke like A PERSIAN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE people they should like go to a forgein country of mildeast of turkey or wat ever and serach for the right guy if they want the fans to be HAPPY RIGHT and they better have three series like the GAME! better yet they should jst make it into a animation!
  • Willow
    No one seems to be considering wether the actors can impersonate the Prince's voice and accent

    I look like the prince and can speak like him so I will be saddened if I miss out on auditioning. I guess I'm just one of the many hopefuls, though.

    I wish that someone would shed light on the casting schedule and how one would get to audition. I worry they might have already cast the roles in secret.
  • Yoshi
    Hey Willow

    I expect the casting is being held where ever Bruckheimer's at, so probably in LA somewhere, like at Disney land, or universal studios or somewhere.

    That's awesome that you can actually pull that off, coz in the whole debate about who should and shouldn't be cast as the Prince, and it getting into the whole, well he should be Persian, or he should be Arab, or what ever else, I've come to realise something. He has a British accent in the game, blue eyes and brown hair, so the role should really be played by anyone that both, act and look like him, and there's your Prince.

    Good luck with trying to get into the auditions, wish you all the best...and if you do get it, I can I get your autograph!!! LMAO.

    Luv Yoshi
  • Princess of Persia
    The only real one , both by looks and acting ,that can play as the prince is the beloved Persian actor MOHAMMAD REZA GOLZAR . If the movie makers choose him , the movie will hit the box office and they will gain a lot more money because 70 million Iranians all around the world will strongly support the movie. Just remember the success of the movie 300 due to Iranians.
  • Willow
    I live in Australia and I'm not rolling in cash so I don't think I'll be trippin to LA on the off chance of actually snagging the role.

    I think my best strategy is to post some photos of myself on the interweb and hopefully the right people will see them.

    I'll let you all know when I do so you can check them out and tell me what you think, k, cos I'd luv to know whether other people see the resemblance too!

    And I can totally do the voice of the young prince of the Sands of Time. No sweat.

    Thanks for the encouragement Yoshi! =)
  • Willow
    The link might not work, so if it doesn't, email me willowvoice@hotmail.com and I'll personally send you a copy.
  • Kaa
    You do realize that the just of North Americans cannot tell the difference in Persians and Arabs. To them, if they look the part, then that's all that matters. The closest that you will ever debate in Hollywood, so far, are between "Chinese, Korean, Japanese etc." Maybe one day those debates concerning the actual race of someone to fit the part will matter, but not now.

    I'm not trying to bash on anyone's ideas, but most of the names I've seen listed do not match the least. Kal is the only other actor I would agree with, but he needs to put some meat on him.

    For now, I would love to see John Abraham take the part as Prince of Persia. I read somewhere that he had already accepted the offer. But we can all agree this film will be worth the buck. I mean come on, it's Michael Bay. =]
  • Willow
    Ok I have my pics ready,
    but I can't seem to find a way
    to get them on the internet
    so that you can all see them.

    For now, you can email me
    willow_cradle@hotmail.com
    and I'll send them to you.

    Share them around with
    as many people as you like, k,
    cos the more people see them,
    the better I'll like it!
  • Danial Willow
    Try searching:

    danial willow bubbleshare prince persia

    on google. That will get you to my pics!
  • Danial Willow
    I plan to put some vids of myself on the net in coming weeks.

    I said before that I can do the voice of the young prince, but now I can do the older one aswell! I've been practicing it - my speciality is vocal impersonations.
  • martizan
    FOR ME IT DOESNT MATTER AS LONG THE FILM DIDNT HURT SOMEONE
  • Danial Willow
    I should have more pics uploaded in about a week.

    Keep an eye out. I'm a little better prepared this time :)
  • the sand wraith
    hold up on dat crud right there why in the heck would you put the prince of persia the sands of time on the god dang disney movie use dat meat in there called the brain. the first one was a T for Teen game which is like a PG 13 for a movie but the last two games were M for Mature which is like rated R for a movie. so do you think that disney would accept blood guts gore violence and some sexual parts in in the game so how are you gonna get dat in a disney movie. i didnt think so. so try universal stodios for the dahaka and dimesion films for action and excitment. so tell disney to pack up there things and leave. and get what da fans want
  • the sand wraith
    hold up on dat crud right there. why in the heck would you put the prince of persia the sands of time on the god dang disney movie? use dat meat in there called the brain. the first one was a T for Teen game which is like a PG 13 for a movie but the last two games were M for Mature which is like rated R for a movie. so do you think that disney would accept blood guts gore violence and some sexual parts in in the game so how are you gonna get dat in a disney movie. i didnt think so. so try universal studios for the dahaka and dimesion films for action and excitment. so tell disney to pack up there things and leave. and get what da fans want
  • Danial Willow
    Hi I have uploaded my new pics. Just do the same trick as before,

    search "Danial Willow bubbleshare"

    or just follow this link:

    http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/245617/overvie...

    I know they are fairly amateur looking, but I'll give a little behind the scenes info.

    All my photos I took myself, that is to say I was actually holding the camera, posing for the shot and in some cases holding a lighting mirror aswell. Plus the only camera I had was an ancient 35mm film camera so I couldn't even look at the photos until I got them developed.

    So please feel free to cut me some slack, k?

    Don't forget to tell us what you think, I would appreciate any feedback you have.
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