A SHORT NOTE FROM THE WRITER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NEW SOLOMON KANE MOVIE
As some of you may know, a film based on Robert Howard's Solomon Kane character has recently been announced. Since I'm the writer and director of this upcoming movie I just wanted to drop a quick note to all the Howard and Kane fans out there who might be either delighted or horrified that a movie is in the making.
I know how I feel when a favourite book/game/comic is announced as a movie; I'm happy that someone has finally realised how great it is and always cynical that the collective "they" is going to screw it up somehow. This seems to happen more often than not but, regardless, I always start out optimistic. I hope you all do too on Kane.
Couple of things you should know that should set your collective minds at ease; firstly, the producers really do love Robert E. Howard and have been obsessive about trying to find the right story to introduce him to the wider film going world. Secondly, in me they have found a writer and director who loves the fantasy genre and wants be absolutely certain that I remain true to the essence of Solomon Kane. Certainly at this script stage, I'm sure I have something which really works and can't wait to get it before cameras.
For me Solomon Kane is perhaps Howard's most interesting and unusual character and for many reasons, possibly the hardest to bring to the screen. Kane's sheer sense of resolve and inner strength is a tremendous challenge to convey both for me as a director and for the actor I finally choose to cast as this iconic hero. The danger is that because of this strength and formality in his ways it could lead to a rather mannered and inaccessible hero and I'm trying to walk a fine line so that we can somehow understand him without softening him into some reflective and weakened 21st century version of a hero. I want to absolutely capture a hero who has unwavering faith in his mission and his ability to follow through -- personally, I miss "real" men in modern movies; taciturn, world weary and masculine heroes who are genuinely capable of doing what they promise. Kane, to me, is one such man and I'm determined to honour him.
What I thought I'd do with this first story, in what will hopefully become a series of films, is to back peddle a little bit from where Howard started us off with Kane and explore just why he is the man he is. So this first film is going to be an original tale of sorts. I had to create some sense of what could possibly drive a man such as Kane and I think you're all going to be really excited by what happens to him. Then, once we're up and running, it allows me the freedom to go on and tangle with some of Kane's other adventures.
Of course, the big question is, who will be Kane? Truth is, I don't know yet. The casting is so vital that I don't want to rush this. You can be sure that the person I finally cast will be able to embody the real essence of Kane. I need someone with a really predatory power and inner anger that can burst forth at just the right moments. Not many guys out there can do that so making that choice is going to be tricky.
Anyway, that's all for now. I'm not going to make any wild promises about how wonderful the finished film will be -- there's far too much water yet to flow under that particular bridge - but I can assure you all that at least I'm starting this journey with the very best of intentions.
Oh yes, and as a little peek into some of the stuff I'm planning here's a concept art image of Kane battling a mob of ghoulish creatures. The artwork is by Greg Staples, who I'm sure some of you will know is one of the very best fantasy artists working today.
Enjoy.
--Michael J Bassett
Source :
http://wordgrinder.livejournal.com/12617.htmlet il y a même ça :
video blog de Basset alias des vlogs (beurk pour le nom)
Edit : je viens de le voir et c'est vraiment très intéressant. Des images de préparations des extraits du story board et une révélation sur l'histoire et le nombre de films prévus (eh oui)