BK Akitas Wrote:He's got a very young face, and an ability to just melt into different character modes- a must for anyone trying to be Jack. He's also got the physical ability to play the role. You look at him and you underestimate him from minute one- this guy can do some damage if he wants.
That's Jack.
I can even look past the hair-n-eyes thing for Cusack.
If we can't have Viggo or Hugh,then my vote is for John.
Since the overwhelming number want Cusack as Jack, let me just say this
What other dynamics of the character will be altered? If its true that Vicki is going to be a teenager in this purported first film, how does that change
her relationship to Jack? Does that make Gia older as well? Do you cast a Mischa Barton or a Lindsay Lohan type as Vicki? For myself, I was thinking more of a Dakota Fanning for Vicki.
Given the fact that Cusack is already in his late 30's (Nearly 38, I believe) and to me, he looks exactly his age, how many of these films can he legitimately appear in before he's rendered too old for the character by Hollywood's standards ? Or do you foresee Jack evolving into a James Bond type with differing actors essaying the role every few years?
Or will he (Cusack) grow tired of being Jack forcing the studio to look for someone else say in the next installment?
If Viggo were to consider this (and based on his body of work, this certainly doesn't seem likely), he's already in his mid forties and might be a bit long in the tooth. Jackman is easily recognizable as Wolverine and Van Helsing but could easily meld into Jack. And at 35, he could conceivably essay Jack in two films given the general interim of 2 to 3 years per sequel, particularly if filming begins by late 2004 for a 2005 release.
Working at a local studio, I have a bit of insight as to how a studio might approach this. Does the actor have international box office clout? The international marketplace is quickly becoming the more accurate factor in determing if a studio will have a return on its investment. What is the budget to be assigned and will the actor ask for or seek profit participation? What is being sold here? A prepackaged concept? An actor whose name appears above title? Since this is a recurring literary character, is this to filmed as one long 4 to 5 hour film and then arbitarily sliced in 2 ala Kill Bill, or filmed back to back in the same manner as LOTR. What's its DVD prospects?
Is the Jack on the screen more of an action/adventure hero or more character driven with action secondary?
A few years ago, if Jack had been made, Johnny Depp would have been a good fit. If I were a casting director and had read the books (remember the casting director may not have a clue about who Jack is and is basing her/his choices on what is written in the actual screenplay), I would want either James Caviezel, or the little known Johnny Messner. I would also get the script to Depp to see if he might be interested.
Studios are always looking for a character that is easily spun off, thereby creating a franchise and a safe harbor for returning profits.
Just a thought