Orlando Bloom is 'The Prince of Persia!?'
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, RumorMonger, Fandom, Games and Game Movies
Though this news hasn't officially hit the trades, Hollywood.com is reporting this morning that Orlando Bloom has landed the lead role in Jerry Bruckheimer's next giant adventure trilogy, The Prince of Persia. The deal is reportedly worth $40 million, and Bloom beat out Zac Efron (no way could I see him in that role) for the part. Bloom, as we all know, helped Bruckheimer's previous Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy become one of the most lucrative ever. So if Bloom is in, and a Princess still needs to be cast, does that mean we could be hearing Keira Knightley's name pop up in the near future?Last we heard from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, shooting was to begin in Morocco this summer, with a release date of June 16, 2009 already in place (check out some concept art here). Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) will direct off a script from Jordan Mechner. Prince of Persia, of course, is based on the very popular series of video games. The story will revolve around a Prince (Bloom) who teams with a rival princess (Knightley???) to stop an evil ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world.
So, what do you fans of the game think about Orlando Bloom in the lead role?
UPDATE: Disney has gone on record with several sources (including Cinematical) claiming this story is absolutely not true. Of course, we will let you know whenever the real casting announcement has been made.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-07-2008 @ 10:34AM
Joshua said...
Bloom is actually not a bad choice for this, i would like it if he toned down his accent a little though. on the other hand knightly would be terrible casting. i would rather see someone with a darker complection and a little more meat on their bones to be in this role. i was thinking Mila Kunis her looks would be perfect for the princess.
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4-07-2008 @ 10:38AM
V_Ben said...
Y'know, i think he could pull this off.
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4-07-2008 @ 10:49AM
techstar25 said...
Granted his performance in the Pirates movie got more ridiculous as the trilogy progressed, but last night I was watching "Two Towers" and was reminded that he's a pretty good actor when given the right role.
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4-07-2008 @ 10:54AM
Tom Gerlick said...
Casting for an Indian princess? Aishwarya Rai!
Orlando Bloom is well... not very Persian looking.
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4-07-2008 @ 10:57AM
Tigerlily said...
I like Orlando Bloom, but I'm not thrilled about seeing him in another swash buckling, sword brandishing, period piece, not even if it is based on a video game. I guess its far to late after LOTR, Pirates and Kingdom of Heaven to worry about typecasting at this point. I would like to see him explore a bit more variety, like James McAvoy.
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4-07-2008 @ 11:13AM
Mimi said...
I just don't "get" Orly as a dashing swashbuckler.
Frankly, he doesn't impress me as much of an actor, so maybe he needs all the accouterments such as swords, long hair, casts of hundreds, special effects and funny costumes to be convincing, because frankly, in films where he's playing a contemporary character... straight up... he's quite generic.
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4-07-2008 @ 11:32AM
Gillian said...
That's lame - he is in no way Persian. It should be played by Naveen Andrews.
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4-07-2008 @ 12:04PM
kel said...
Dammit. You beat me to it! Although he's Indian, not Persian.
4-07-2008 @ 12:26PM
just kiddin' said...
Hayden Christensen.....
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4-07-2008 @ 12:44PM
billzbub said...
Wonder what happened to this possibility?
http://news.filefront.com/actual-prince-of-persia-favored-for-lead-in-prince-of-persia-movie/
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4-07-2008 @ 1:02PM
madgamer said...
I wish they would pick someone else to be honest, and I second that vote for Aishwarya Rai as the princess.
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4-07-2008 @ 2:10PM
Eirene said...
I actually like Bloom for the choice, i think he can pull it off, like someone said earlier, he did a good job in LOTR, and for the princess..im not too sure about Knightley especially since in the game she was an indian princess...so someone with indian looks would be better suited i think...
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4-07-2008 @ 2:50PM
Ryan said...
I'll echo the voices who want Orlando to do something else. I mean I am DYING to see him (a) in a sweeping British romatic epic or (b) as a villain.
That being said, I think he'll do great in this role.
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4-07-2008 @ 3:45PM
ravage said...
Are you kidding? Omfg Orlando Bloom is maybe good actor, but not looking as Persian, please do not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4-07-2008 @ 5:09PM
stunned said...
The racism at work here is stunning. Hard to believe some commenters seem so ok with this, especially so soon after the "21" debacle. I ask sincerely, why does Hollywood keeps doing this, if the answer isn't racism? And in the year 2008, why is some of the audience still OK with whitewashing?
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4-07-2008 @ 5:14PM
paul said...
Or if you want to sink the titanic ego of Zac Efron maybe you should install his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens in the role as the "Princess".
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4-07-2008 @ 7:55PM
Alpha said...
You know, in that picture he does kinda look like the Warrior Within version of the prince. Not quite as angry though :p
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4-08-2008 @ 10:31AM
LiqwidZero said...
They need Bollywood actors for this film. Orlando Bloom would be HORRIBLE, as would Zac Efron.
David K. Zandi would still be the better choice. Heck, I'd pick Matt Damon over Orlando and Zac.
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4-08-2008 @ 2:36PM
mdm006 said...
in the game... there isn't any sand storm mygosh :(
"stop an evil ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world"
First play the game then write about it!
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4-09-2008 @ 12:59AM
dddd said...
He is cute. Just saw his photos on a celebrity and millionaire dating site called wealthysoulmate.com. Don't know if it is him.
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