This is really a cross between "Biteline" and "The Dead Grey Eye," FWIW.
Bloody Disgusting broke the news that Robert Downey, Jr. is in "close talks" to star as Lestat in a rebooted Vampire Chronicles film franchise. Weirdly, this is not where I throw my hands up and start ranting.
Personally, I wouldn't cast Downey in the role for obvious reasons. If this movie gets off the ground, he'll be nearing 50 years old, and visually, I'm not seeing it. But I am not against it, either.
The major reason I will be interested in seeing how this plays out (if it does) is because Downey is a great actor. I first saw him in David Fincher's Zodiac, and was taken aback by his effortless performance. Of course, Iron Man proved to the world that Downey could be a movie star, and his upcoming Sherlock Holmes film looks entertaining, if unconventional. Speaking of Holmes, I am deliberately using one of that film's posters to illustrate what Downey looks like in a gothic setting - and it's pretty cool. Lestat? Not really. But as an interesting, charismatic vampire? Well, I have to admit that I am onboard with the idea.
Yeah, there are a lot of actors who are closer in age to the character; since Heath Ledger (my ideal choice in the role) died, I've thought that Jonathan Rhys-Meyers would make a good Lestat. But if they are going to cast "a movie star," better a 40+ year old guy who can act rather than some "flavors of the month" I can think of. And for what it is worth, back when Interview With The Vampire was gearing up for production, Anne Rice favored Jeremy Irons as Lestat - and he was in his 40's at the time as well.
While I can't really see Downey playing the "rock star" Lestat, I think he could pull off the character's overall attitude. A lot of people accuse Anne Rice of writing novels about "whiny vampires," which shows that they read Interview With The Vampire and nothing else. When the series shifted its focus to Lestat in the second book, things became a lot more fun. Lestat grapples with what he is (as I think many would in the situation), but he also has an adventurous spirit and is full of bravado. Casting an actor who could bring out the "fun" side of Lestat would go a long, long way towards correcting the misperception that all of Anne Rice's vampires are "whiny."
Another reason I like the idea of Downey taking an interest in this role is because it indicates decent production values. At this point in his career, Downey is at the top of his game and I doubt he would sign on to some low-budget crapfest. It would please me to see the Lestat character - even in an altered form - reintroduced to the thick of things in a quality film.
I'll be paying attention as things develop.
6 comments:
I'm really excited--and surprised!--by this. I think Robert Downey Jr. is perfect for embodying Lestat's philosophy and style, age be damned. And I'd love to see the Rice movie adaptations back on the A-list instead of the Queen-of-the-Damned D-list!
If this happens, it has to be the weirdest casting that I am not too upset about. The "big picture" here is that there are plans to make a vampire movie with enough respectability that it has Downey interested. Ideal for Lestat? Not really - but his potential involvement indicates that the filmmakers are striving for a high-profile adult film.
I don't know...seems to me like hollywood doesn't do Anne Rice's work justice...
First of all IM not a huge fan of tom cruise, and secondly Queen of the Damned was my favorite book and it was just horrible.
If robert downey jr was smart he wouldn't do this...if anyone is ideal for leastat i see Ville Vallo as him..but what do i know huh?
Interesting you'd mention Ville Valo... back when that "Queen of the Damned" "thing" was in development, I kept saying that I wished producers knew about HIM (who were unknown at the time in the US). What drew me to HIM in the first place was that was what I thought The Vampire Lestat band would sound like. I wouldn't cast Valo in the role unless he has some serious dramatic chops I am unaware of. If I was casting this, I would personally go with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. But Downey is better than some "flavoe of the month" designed to pull in the "Twilight" fanbase.
I agree...Lestat takes some real acting and not sure if I see Ville Vallo up for that...
Yes at least Robert Downey Jr. is an established actor but not sure if I see him as Lestat. Think they need to maybe cast someone on the younger side. Jonathan Rhys-Myers may actually be a good choice but wish they would maybe give it an indie dark twist like Let The Right One In. Actually I would be filled with joy if the film was foreign. Unfortunantly I see them trying to make this another big budget production due to the unfortunant fame of Twilight, excuse me while I barf!
Unfortunately, Sable told me the other day that this was a case of smoke without fire - just a lot of hot air. Downey is not playing Lestat. My fear is that they will go over the "teen" market to the detriment of everything else. Let us hope otherwise.
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