I read his script and you know, the man is known for his tough writing. He wrote "Conan" and "Dirty Harry" and "Apocalypse Now", and it'll be interesting to see how he works behind the camera. I'm playing Genghis. John wrote it as a piece told from the son and grandson's point of view, how they saw this mythic figure from their family. You see him in flashbacks, back when he was in his mid-40s.
And back then, being in your mid-40s was being really old. It'll be a fascinating experience, maybe shooting in parts of India, they tell me, and China. I've never worked in either of those countries, so that'll be new. Historically, if you read about the guy, he was a mystery. There's a lot of myths surrounding him, but also some true stories. Milius went through that in prepping this, so he'll be a fascinating character to play.It's interesting how out of a sudden, Rourke has gone all epic, since before doing the Genghis Khan, he will play a king in Tarsem's mythological epic "Immortals".
Why bad news? Not a fan of Mickey? I personally fell in love with him in Aaronofsky's The Wrestler. But he hasn't done much else that has impressed me i guess. I look forward to seeing how he does in Iron Man 2.
ReplyDeleteRourke seems a little old for the part...
ReplyDelete@Casey
ReplyDeletewell, I generally don't understand the new trend in Hollywood of making new A-league stars out of people who really don't have enough talent, charisma, nor looks to get lead roles in big movies. I'd put Robert Downey Jr, Benicio del Toro and Rourke on that list.
@Alex
well he says he will be old in the movie itself.
Genghis Khan, an Asian Nomadic mongol being played by a white guy from New York... really?
ReplyDeleteUgh. You can't wash this over with "well, he's a mystery." That's just stupidity. Plain and simple. And this really annoys me. You have a chance here to get a solid, seasoned, veteran Asian actor who can speak English (if that's necessary) and bring them into light. Rourke is great but this is not a role he should take.
amen to everything you've just wrote Uni.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this one probably isn't for him -- especially after reading Uni's comment. The racial difference hadn't rung a bell with me at first either.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Robert Downey Junior goes, I've got to say, I am a fan. Yes, he may be self-absorbed, and may not have much range in character. But i do like the character he embodies. I think he's taken on the right roles that fit him pretty good. Sherlock Holmes was good.
I guess we got used to seeing American actors playing all other races in movies. We are still waiting to see whether the audience will have a problem with that in PRINCE OF PERSIA this summer with Gyllenhaal playing a Persian prince.
ReplyDeleteI think Mickey will be great in the part, however, I do wish he's stop with the plastic surgery!
ReplyDeletePS. As for my stagnant blog - I've been trying (unsuccessfully thus far) to write a query letter. May post again soon. I'm boring myself to death...
I agree Wendy, while I was searching yesterday for a photo of Mickey to put in this post, I was shocked with his old photos vs the current ones. Back in his youth he was actually extremely handsome, and now I wouldn't even know how to describe his looks.
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting for a new post over at Wendiville :)
The thing that always amazes me is that casting an Asian actor in this kind of role is always MORE bankable than not doing so. It's one of those rare times that being progressive actually means more $. (Kids looove seeing Asians in this kind of movie, i.e. Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li). Oh well. Milius is such a creature of the 80s, though--he hasn't caught up with the last twenty years. Thanks for this post! This site is so comprehensive it's crazy--I feel like I know everything after visiting.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about that, Sammy dearest, but it does sound logical. Still, I somehow believe that Jake Gylenhaal in PRINCE OF PERSIA is more bankable than some Asian actor in the same role, since American audience prefers familiar faces in the lead roles.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how do I feel about the whole thing. I think that the problem of American movies is that they make everything seem relative and unreal, as if everything is just fantasy. That's why many people aren't horrified by real life violence and wars because they've seen it many times in movies, and think it's nothing serious and special. That's why many great countries are now able to lead wars and attack smaller countries without being opposed by their own public.
Too bad this wont be a foreign film(non-US). Meaning that the films I have seen lately coming out of Russia,and Romania,etc,about this type of subject have been really outstanding.And,the acting has been so refreshing. Perasonally,the actors mentioned here,Jet Li,Bruce Lee,and Jackie Chan are either dead(Bruce Lee),too funny(Jackie Chan)for this role,or over exposed as Asian action Heroes(Jet Li).Sooo,..it leaves movies makers looking to non Asian actors to play these roles,...unless you want to go the "Mongol"way.This recently released foreign film was done with unknown actors(to Hollywood,anyway).Though Mongol was an incredible film,it didnt get much notice in Hollywood,or the US,sadly.
ReplyDeleteps,..actually,I think Mickey might just do this nicely.He's been around a long time,and yes,he was a huge victim of plastic surgery that went wrong(which was for a problem he had after his boxing career.And,yes,there was a short boxing time for him.)
He didnt go and have a ton of work done on his face like some do,it just went horribly bad when he DID have work done,and he's since been known for being a victim of Plastic surgery,not for being an addict to it.
hey, Whiskey, we haven't heard anything about this possible project ever since last year, so I'm not sure it's still going on.
ReplyDeleteI've seen MONGOL, and must admit didn't really like it, although I generally love Russian, European and Asian epics!