James Purefoy Tagged Articles at Cinematical
'John Carter of Mars' Cast Gets Better and Better
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting », Disney », Newsstand », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
I was slightly disappointed with the initial casting of John Carter of Mars, but as Andrew Stanton keeps bringing the wonderful with every addition to the roster, I just have to trust him when it comes to his choice of Taylor Kitsch. But Stanton is sending more impressive talent to Mars, as according to The Hollywood Reporter, James Purefoy, Thomas Haden Church, and Mark Strong have joined the cast. Purefoy will be playing Kantos Kan, the captain of the Xavarian, the grand flagship of Helium. Carter meets him in the prisons of Warhoon, and they're forced to battle in a gladitorial match. They become allies as only former gladiators can, and Kan assists him on his quest to save Mars / Barsoom. I found it difficult to picture the secondary characters in Princess of Mars, so I feel lame in saying "Purefoy is perfect as Kan!" but he'll fit the part of a seasoned naval captain. He'll be quite dashing, even. (Actually, I think Purefoy would have made a good Carter.)
Church will be playing Tal Hajus, who THR calls "a vicious Thark warrior who is determined to become king." In the books, he's a Jabba the Hut type who lusts after Princess Dejah Thoris, and is happily ensconced as a leader, so this might be one of the first big changes you'll see in the story. It would probably make things a lot more interesting to have Church play him as a capable bastard than a slobby wreck.
Read more over at SciFi Squad
James Purefoy Goes All Van Helsing in New 'Solomon Kane' Trailer
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Movie Marketing », Trailers and Clips »
I have this pet theory about movies, and that is sometimes I think it's much more fun to watch everything go wrong than go right. What I mean by that is that when you get that feeling that the film had every intention of being a straightforward action, drama, whatever, and instead winds up as a comedy. Call me crazy, but it makes me like a film just a little bit more. The reason I mention this is that after watching the first English language trailer for Solomon Kane, in two minutes flat I was able to figure out that this film might look silly, but I don't mean that it looks bad. Instead, this particular flick shapes up to what I like to call a 'Cornball delight' -- and to give you an idea of what I mean, think of a movie like Reign of Fire. Kane is based on Robert E. Howard's series, and stars James Purefoy (clad in an leather coat and hat combo that looks like a reject from the Van Helsing costume department) as a cursed swordsman tasked with defeating an evil wizard and saving a village from a demonic army.
Usually for a film to earn the 'Cornball' moniker from me, it comes down to my personal tastes. But sometimes you have to respect a movie more for being willing to take it so far over the top that you can't see the ground anymore. Then again, maybe I'm wrong, because in the midst of all the silliness, the film is chock full of respectable actors like Pete Postlethwaite (The Omen) and Max von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly). But I'm going to go with my gut and saying that, yes, the cheese factor might be strong with this film, but I'm kind of digging it ... how about you?
After the jump: the English language trailer for Solomon Kane...
Paul Giamatti & More Are Looking to Get 'Ironclad' and Medieval
Filed under: Action », Casting », Deals »
I am, by no means, a big fan of medieval themes, although a movie here and there, or an occasional trip to a Renaissance Faire is fun. But man, Ironclad is sounding awesome. Variety reports that the film is the first project for the newly formed Mythic International Entertainment, and will be directed by Jonathan English.Why is this sounding so awesome? The cast. Already signed to the $30 million feature is Richard Attenborough, Pete Postlethwaite, Angus Macfayden, and Colm Meaney. Meanwhile, James Purefoy and Paul Giamatti are in talks to join the production as well. It's a historical feature full of talented testosterone!
Set in 13th century England, the film will focus on "a small band of knights who defended Rochester Castle against the tyrant King John." There's no mention of who the signed leads are playing (presumably knights), but if James and Paul sign on, Purefoy will play the lead night, and Giamatti will be King John.
It sounds great to me! After John Adams, I've been on a total Giamatti kick, and along with actors like Attenborough and Postlethwaite, this could be one hell of a great action film.
What do you think?
McElhone to Play Britain's First Female Doctor
Filed under: Drama », Casting »
It looks like Natascha McElhone is now getting her chance to shine. For the most part, the actress has had co-starring gigs in films like Laurel Canyon, FeardotCom, and Solaris, but has been overshadowed by her bigger-name co-stars. Heck, even in Californication, David Duchovny steals the show. But now the tide might be turning as she's getting a headlining gig.Variety reports that she's going to star with James Purefoy in Marleen Gorris' Heaven & Earth for Focus Films. The film, which was written by Malcolm Kohll and Marsha Levin, will focus on "Britain's first female doctor, James Miranda Barry (McElhone), who was forced to disguise herself as a man in order to practice medicine." But of course, it can't just be about the medicine. Set in the early 19th century, the film will focus on her love affair with the governor of Cape Town, Lord Charles Somerset (Purefoy).
It's disappointing that they're focusing on the romance rather than her achievements, but at the very least, it should be an opportunity for McElhone to show off her acting chops. Production is currently scheduled to begin on December 10 in the UK, and will shoot in Cape Town, South Africa in January.
'Solomon Kane' Gets More Cast Members
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting »
Last year, Jessica was keeping us up-to-date on the beginning morsels of the Solomon Kane project. First, James Purefoy signed on to star, and then a poster was released, although the rest of the cast had yet to be named. Finally, Empire has reported on the growing cast, which is one hell of a great collection of character actors. Production is about to begin, and these are the guys and gals that will be joining Purefoy on the big screen -- Pete Postlethwaite (The Omen), Max von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Rachel Hurd-Wood (Perfume), Alice Krige (Star Trek: First Contact), and Mackenzie Crook (the one-eyed dude from Pirates of the Caribbean).This project is planned to be the first of three films, and with more of these guys to come, here's who they will play -- von Sydow will play Kane's father, Hurd-Wood will play Meredith, Kridge will play Meredith's mother, Postlethwaite will take on the role of her dad, and finally Crook will play Father Michael. Solomon Kane is about, believe it or not, a somber Puritan who travels the world and saves it from all forms of evil. I wonder how Robert E. Howard came up with that. Puritans aren't the sort of people that usually bring to mind heroism. Anyway... Production begins really soon in Prague, with Michael J. Bassett (Deathwatch) directing.
The First Poster for 'Solomon Kane'
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Movie Marketing », Posters »
When you consider that the big-screen adaptation of Solomon Kane only just found a lead a little over a month ago, the producers certainly seem to be wasting no time in getting the film in gear. The Movie Blog now has a first look at the teaser poster for the action-adventure flick. The film is based on the adventure series of the same name by Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard about a cursed 16th Century swordsman. Back in October, Rome's James Purefoy had signed to star as Kane, an immortal swordsman who is forced out of 'retirement' for an all-out battle between good and evil. In the stories Kane was described as "a somber and gloomy man of pale face and cold eyes, all of it shadowed by a slouch hat". One look at this poster and you can see that Purefoy is an excellent choice.
The first appearance of Kane was in back 1928 in the magazine Weird Tales. Over the years, the character has appeared in over 13 stories and was even the subject of a 1976 Marvel Comic. A lot has changed since 1928, and some of the text has become the subject of criticism over its shall we say 'antiquated' views on race and women -- you know you're in trouble when you describe African tribesmen as, 'closer to mankind's beast ancestors'. Then again, it was written in 1928, so what are you going to do? I guess we will just have to hope that Michael J Bassett (writer and director for the film) has some serious re-writes in mind. Solomon Kane is set for release in 2008.
Check out the full-size poster after the jump ...
James Purefoy Signs as 'Solomon Kane'
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
While everyone was busy fighting over the rights to Conan the Barbarian, another Robert E. Howard property has been quietly chugging along toward production. Variety reports that James Purefoy (Rome) has signed to star in the adaptation of Solomon Kane. The story focuses on a 16th century swordsman who has been cursed because of his bloody past. Kane vows to never fight again, until he is forced out of retirement to battle evil just one more time -- so I guess, in this cast, he really would be "too old for this s**t". The film underwent a personnel change last year when Michael J Basset (Wilderness) was hired to write and direct with no mention of the film's previous producers, Don Murphy and Gregg Hoffman. Kane will now be a joint production between Wandering Star and Davis Films (Brotherhood of The Wolf) and according to Variety, the producers are planning on a trilogy.When Purefoy's casting was announced, Basset told ComingSoon.net, "Purefoy's ability to embody Kane's complex heroism, struggles and failings as he wages a mortal battle, made him the perfect modern hero in this epic fantasy". Like so many other English actors, Purefoy started his career with The Royal Shakespeare Company, so the man knows his way around a period piece. His face might ring a bell as 'The Black Prince' in 2001's A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger. Purefoy was most recently on HBO's Rome as the famous Marc Anthony, but this summer HBO announced that the show was on its final season. Once Purefoy finishes his commitments for two upcoming TV projects, he will have plenty of time to start work on Kane.
James Purefoy In Talks for 'I Hate Valentine's Day'
Filed under: Comedy », Independent », Romance », Casting »
She hasn't delivered anything monumental since My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but actress/Oscar-nominated (ugh) screenwriter Nia Vardalos has been working hard enough to keep her career going. Following Connie and Carla, the bomb that was her follow-up to her big fat successful Wedding, she has written A Wilderness of Monkeys for director Tom Hanks (who co-produced Wedding with wife Rita Wilson), which has supposedly been completed, and the Greece-set comedy My Life in Ruins. Also, she has possibly been working on a Big Fat Greek sequel. Her next script, though, has been announced as I Hate Valentine's Day, another culture-clashing romantic comedy in which she will again star. This one will be directed by Nick Hurran (Little Black Book) and will co-star James Purefoy as Vardalos' love interest.Purefoy, who is best known for his work portraying Mark Antony in HBO's Rome series, will play a man who dates and then dumps Vardalos' character. The thing is, once rejected, the woman ends up falling in love with the guy. Originally, Vardalos wrote the male role as American, but she has since been rewriting the part for Purefoy, who is British. Now the character is being conceived as a foreigner who doesn't understand American women. Vardalos says the film, which begins shooting in Toronto this summer, will be for everybody (I doubt it will be for me), and will tackle the idea of forced and expected ideas of romance, particularly the kind of ideas that come with the Valentine's holiday.
McTeigue discusses actor swap in Vendetta
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Casting », Celebrities and Controversy », Comic/Superhero/Geek »
Those of you who are familiar with the V for Vendetta
film have no doubt long been aware that Hugo Weaving was not the
first choice for the masked character of V. In fact, not only was another actor, James Purefoy, first tapped for the part, but he also made it about
three weeks into shooting before the part was turned over to Weaving. Yesterday, director James McTeigue discussed the impact of this shift on the filming
process. Mcteigue first noted that the magnitude of the situation has been overestimated. Yes, shooting had been going on for nearly a month - but not everything that was shot involved Purefoy's character. Because of this, very little of Purefoy's work actually made the final cut of the film. Mcteigue echoed the reasons Purefoy gave for the actor's departure, indicating that the man simply was not comfortable with his ability to act behind a mask. Mcteigue explained "It was hard for him to make peace with the mask." He went on to praise Weaving's transition into the role, saying that he was a fantastic fit. Of Weaving's ability, McTeigue said "[he] knew what was capable in the mask. I think it was a really intelligent, fearless decision that he made just to trust it." The director credited Weaving's abilities as a "complete actor" as the primary reason he was able to bring life to a character with no facial expression.
You know, I'm finally beginning to get excited for this film. I don't doubt Weaving's acting ability - I think it'll be fantastic to see how he brings life to the character of V. Here's to hoping McTeigue's directorial debut is a good one.
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