Christian Bale wasn't an unknown??? He was the fanboy favorite for the role. Daniel Craig had a well known face from a bunch of roles, even if the fanboys didn't like him for Bond. Routh was unknown but looks like an impersonator of the very well known Christopher Reeve.

Maybe Ratner's point isn't completely idiotic in some roles, but he picked very poor examples to try proving it.

As long as he does stay away from God of War and ruins Conan? Jesus.. God of War is a random Video Game Hero. Conan is one the first male fantasy characters ever created (aka written by REH 1930) and the inspiration for many of todays fantasy characters including Kratos.

So if he ruins God of War.. who cares.. but Conan is a completely different beast, which is much more complex and he should stay away from it.

What a stupid fuck... you know, they could've hired a real director. Seems that there won't be an accurate Conan movie, ever.

Well its nothing decided yet... newest rumors point very much at him not taking the part, since he already has too many projects on his bill. Here i collect news about the conan movie www.conanthemovie.com

It's a BIG MISTAKE to have Brett Ratner as a director im so afraid, he will kill my hero Conan :(

Brett Ratner should also hire a good director to work on this

haha, yeah that was funny. God of War is shit compared to Conan's design and world.

Those guys would be wrong for that role even if they landed it. Conan is a huge, tall, tan-skinned barbarian who goes around killing people and fucking women. If Dwayne Johnson bulked-up again like he was before they thinned him out for those other films. He would be a great casting choice for Conan.

Or someone with a similar look.

why does this project need anymore of a gamble? if Ratner is directing and casts a nobody for the lead role of a 100million dollar movie the studio should just slash the budget until goes insane and quits...then just hire Rob Zombie or any of the dozen better directors for this reboot....Ratner should go back to making creepy home movies with Michael Jackson

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDqO5iiPoog" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDqO5iiPoog

Ratner is a whore. He'll do anything if he's payed right. He's got himself involved in so many projects right now somethings got to give. Conan, Beverly Hills Cop 4, a Hugh Hefner movie, and now Youngblood. Come on now. If Conan is on the fast track why are the producers going with a snowed under, overcommited director? Where's the f*cking logic here? I have not heard a single comment in praise of Ratner and his directing of Conan. Everyone hates the idea. The Conan movie is not a summer spectacle to take the family to see. The movie should be dark, complex and dripping with retina burning imagery just Robert E. Howard made him. That's why this film needs a director who is first and formost a fan. Someone who grew up loving Conan. I think that is key that will help capture the essence of the Cimmerian.

*grumble*

Maybe somebody should also mention to Brett that 'Conan' is so "iconic", that not only should a nobody be cast, but the film itself shouldn't be re-made or 're-imagined'.

With Dwayne Johnson it'd be Scorpion King 2. Baaaaad idea.

He's actually a pretty good actor. That was just a horrible movie.

I totally agree with you here... but honestly i don't believe Rattner has the time to pull Conan off. He has too many "next projects" that wanna start production soonish.

Conan according to late news from Paradox (look on the page on my nickname) they wanna start shooting this summer and Millenium Films have paid another 500.000 Dollars to get more time.

I desperately hope that Rattner finally will be called off the project, he is like the Uwe Boll of Hollywood, delivering "standard" movies on time, budget and without any creative influence delivered by him whatsoever.

LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE GREAT IDEA ( THOR) TALENT POOL IS HUGE, WHY NOT OPEN IT UP.

well said..

This film has been fuckd since Jump Street...

You have a very cool Conan blog. Lots of info about the production that I didn't know. I have a question for you as a Conan expert. How big do you think the Conan actor should be? Arnie big or 80's Stallone big? Because they were doing steroids and I don't think you could get that big without steroids. Even most modern wrestlers and body-builders are 'roided out.

How about The Rock big about 3yrs ago? He was beefy without being super cut or 'roid looking. Or moving down the continuum, how about Tom Welling sized? Like a big strong football player. Or maybe Brad Pitt or Jared Padalecki shaped, really cut and defined but without a lot of muscle mass? Lastly would be a just generally fit shape like a modern action star like Tom Cruise.

I think REH was quite clear in how big Conan should be. He has to be athletic, strong but not bulky which rules out most of the typical "Body-Builder" types. He must have the body of a "panther" he described him very often.

A panther is muscle packed, but can move freely, something that Arnie could not and he had to train for the first movie to be even able to move the sword as needed, because his muscles obstructed him back then.

I think the Rock would be a bit too bulky, but then again i saw him move with panther like agility and he is definately impressive visually. I think i haven't decided yet for myself who i think would be perfect, because it so much depends on what his charisma is and not how big his bizeps has grown hehe.

Please stop even mentioning 'The Rock' when talking about Conan. I find it offensive to the material. I know people like him, I do too, but in kinda the same way I like Kevin Sorbo. Neither of which are right for Conan. Neither have done a dark role, and they both have wide pearly smiles and exaggerated caricatures of faces. Additionally, the general public would be unable to disassociate them from Scorpion King/Hercules.

I know they don't fit the description of 'panther', but I always thought snatching up a few 'World's Strongest Men' competitors either as extras or possibly in lead roles would be quite entertaining. Next step would be to look at Olympic athletes. (shot-put, discus, and other events that require massive strength, but nimble reflexes) 6 weeks with Hollywood trainers and they could all drop their body fat and look like lean 'panthers'. Besides, they're in the 'off-season' for another few years.

While I am totally against making this movie, if they are going to do it I agree with him 100%. I find it more and more difficult to enjoy movies with "movie stars" in them these days.

I have to agree with CaptainAwesome, Dwayne Johnson just needs the right role for his acting chops.

who f--king cares about Conan? This sounds boring and lame.

yeah, I blame it on constant media exposure and stupid celebrity gossip blogs. It's gotten so bad since Perez Hilton that dumb fuck started it.

You should educate yourself on who Conan is, before voicing such uneducated sentences.

FUck him and Fuck COnan!!!

Id wait 2 years for KING CONAN WITH AHHNOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHich is in the works/grapevine!!!

Brett Ratner’s Conan? No one. No one at all.

Rat you suck. Get off of God of War too.

Isn't this a cliche now? Who doesn't say "I want an unknown"? Every director always says that.

Love the Rock...dunno bout him as Conan tho, interesting...shit maybe it could work...

Jackie Chan should be Conan. I don't care what you guys say.... JACKIE CHAN!!!!

And when he's done fucking up Conan. Jackie Chan as Kronos.

Nope that project was in the works by Warner, but they lost the right to the Conan license, since they fumbled around for over 8 years not getting anywhere. Nu Image/ Millenium Films now have the rights and they are the ones who also talked to Brett Ratner, but also a lot of other directors. Nothing is decided yet.

There already is a Scorpion King 2

and Dwayne Johnson wasn't in it

Why screw up Conan by making Ratner the director? Damn it all ...

They f@@k'd up the MMO with shitty gameplay, now they are going to ruin the movie.

lol

/agree 100% (well, as long as it's not Bryan Singer -- he already screwed up Superman, wouldn't want him to also ruin Conan)

they're making a God of War adaptation????????????????????????????????

lol. educate yourself.....hahahhaha.

whomever he gets for this it will still be bad.

Hehhe.. don't kill me i just answered the question above me :D

I think The Rock looks to samoanic and has "indian" like qualities that do not fit Conan for sure. Facewise i still would love to have a younger Ray Stevenson, he has these "sullen eyes" but still a very cheery personality.

Sadly he is just not young enough and would need a good bit of training to gain panther like qualities, but his charisma is very good IMHO.

I agree that The Rock is not the way to go. Just because he did a fantasy genre film does mean he can do any. I feel that Frazetta nailed Conan face in his "The Barbarian" painting. Transplant The Rocks mug over the face in the painting and you'll have instant laughter. A googlely-eyed Conan is what I see.

Another forum mentioned Conan Stevens. I could get blasted for saying this but he doesn't look that bad. Just envision a black square cut wig on his face in the pic below.

http://www.conanstevens.com/component/option,com_...

He got solid grim face that (i think) resembles the Frazetta painting. He's not overly muscled but is hellishly big tall. I think that will come across well on camera when filmed with other actors/actresses and give him that "exceptional" air.

Great blog byw. It's my new "go to" for info.

Yeah let Brett have this one and don't let him near anything that has potential to be good. I like Conan and all but a reboot isn't a step in the right direction and casting an unknown isn't either.

Riun God of War!!!!! Leave Conan alone Ratner. What did he ever do to you?

Ruin God of War!!!!! Leave Conan alone Ratner. What did he ever do to you?