Johnnie To Wants Orlando Bloom

by Monika Bartyzel Apr 16th 2008 // 7:32PM

Filed under: Drama, Thrillers, Casting, Scripts, Remakes and Sequels

The man behind Election might not be heading to Hollywood yet, but he is heading to Europe, and he has a certain pirate in his sights. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To is heading to France to take on Red Circle, a remake of the 1970 crime thriller Le Rouge Cercle, and Wai Ka-Fai is developing it. So far, so funky, until you imagine that he wants Orlando Bloom to star in it.

I want to like Bloom. Really, I do. But the man just kills me. Rather, he has in his post-Lord of the Rings work. He inspired people to hope for his demise in Pirates, sunk with Elizabethtown, and is now being eyed to lead a crime thriller? A crime thriller that would have him star as a cool thief straight out of prison, no less. I just don't see it; he doesn't have the charisma for a tough thieving heist.

At least it's far from definite. To is said to have sent an offer to the actor, but negotiations haven't happened yet. Meanwhile, Chow Yun-Fat and Liam Neeson are in negotiations to co-star. Those two -- they sound just about right, but it makes me even more nervous about Bloom, who couldn't even begin to battle the presence of Johnny Depp. So, I ask you -- do you agree with To's selection, or can you think of someone better?

10 Comments

Tags: Chow Yun-Fat, ChowYun-fat, Cinematical, Johnnie To, JohnnieTo, Le Rouge Cercle, LeRougeCercle, Liam Neeson, LiamNeeson, Orlando Bloom, OrlandoBloom, Red Circle, RedCircle, Wai Ka-Fai, WaiKa-fai

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-16-2008 @ 7:43PM

Ryan said...

I think Orlando is a very good choice. Then again I just want him in movies again.

4-16-2008 @ 8:54PM

Julie said...

I think Orlando will surprise you. Have you checked out the extended version of Kingdom of Heaven or seen him in Ned Kelly? I think he was fabulous in both.

4-16-2008 @ 9:13PM

Nic said...

Just to tell you that it would be "Le Cercle Rouge" and the "Le Rouge Cercle" which would be like saying The Circle Red.

As for me, I don't mind Bloom, as long as he doesn't try to put on that "serious" look he had when playing Legolas.

4-17-2008 @ 12:28PM

Alice said...

I think Bloom will be fine. He's a good physical actor & I like watching him in action. It's the drama stuff where he kind of falls down so if they keep him in motion, I'm there. Love To, love Chow so looking forward to this & hey, Bloom will bring in a bigger audience than they'd usually get, so yeah, good choice.

4-17-2008 @ 1:14PM

mjs said...

While not the same age, I think we would be better off with Christian Bale or Eric Bana, I think Bloom is out of his league in most things that he does, and rarely adds anything to a role, even in Troy, I just wanted them to knock him off.

4-17-2008 @ 5:52PM

darice said...

I think Orlando is a perfect choice and as usual people like you are off the mark.I have enjoyed every film he's been in and he will fit in quite nicely. The thing I've learned since I've seen his movies, is so called critics like you I ignore on a daily basis.

4-17-2008 @ 8:01PM

margaret said...

I spent a good portion of high school madly in love with Orlando. It was right when the Fellowhip of the Ring came out. LOTR was definitely his best role, because he did very little talking.

honestly, all he does is make faces and speak with a deep, "serious" voice. it's barely acting.

4-19-2008 @ 9:50PM

Wanda Rizzuto said...

You guys have it all wrong. Orlando Bloom is going to star in the live action remake of Hong Kong Phooey.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/03/26/115722.php

4-20-2008 @ 1:09PM

kuyat said...

Orlando Bloom is great. He's an actor, he can be anybody he wants to be. He is HOT and the greatest actor ever. He is perfect for any role.

4-20-2008 @ 1:20PM

kuyat said...

I agree