Conan the Barbarian
By
CaptainFoamerang,
Posted on: 2011-03-03 24:05 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
Still waiting for Solomon Kane to be released in the US. :/
Can't say I like the casting of Momoa as Conan. Conan is supposed to be from a northern barbarian tribe, NOT Polynesia. Ah-nold, as Germanic/Austrian is much closer to the genetic mold of the Conan character.
What's next for our Conan of the Pacific...Conan the Surfer? ...Conan and the Outrigger of Doom? ...Conan vs the Volcano?
No thanks!
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You fail.|
Originally Posted by Power_Play
Can't say I like the casting of Momoa as Conan. Conan is supposed to be from a northern barbarian tribe, NOT Polynesia. Ah-nold, as Germanic/Austrian is much closer to the genetic mold of the Conan character.
What's next for our Conan of the Pacific...Conan the Surfer? ...Conan and the Outrigger of Doom? ...Conan vs the Volcano? No thanks! |
The first description of Conan does not describe your lily-white thoughts.
"... a tall man, mightily shouldered and deep of chest, with a massive corded neck and heavily muscled limbs. He was clad in silk and velvet, with the royal lions of Aquilonia worked in gold upon his rich jupon, and the crown of Aquilonia shone on his square-cut black mane; but the great sword at his side seemed more natural to him than the regal accoutrements. His brow was low and broad, his eyes a volcanic blue that smoldered as if with some inner fire. His dark, scarred, almost sinister face was that of a fighting-man, and his velvet garments could not conceal the hard, dangerous lines of his limbs."
And, really, I'm much more interested in whether he can pull off the physicality of the role and Conan's brooding manner rather than if his eyes are blue.
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Not sure I'd use a description of him bedecked in the regalia of Aquilonia as my go to Conan image... |
Originally Posted by Smersh
You fail.
The first description of Conan does not describe your lily-white thoughts. "... a tall man, mightily shouldered and deep of chest, with a massive corded neck and heavily muscled limbs. He was clad in silk and velvet, with the royal lions of Aquilonia worked in gold upon his rich jupon, and the crown of Aquilonia shone on his square-cut black mane; but the great sword at his side seemed more natural to him than the regal accoutrements. His brow was low and broad, his eyes a volcanic blue that smoldered as if with some inner fire. His dark, scarred, almost sinister face was that of a fighting-man, and his velvet garments could not conceal the hard, dangerous lines of his limbs." And, really, I'm much more interested in whether he can pull off the physicality of the role and Conan's brooding manner rather than if his eyes are blue. |
"Arus saw a tall powerfully built youth, naked but for a loin-cloth, and sandals strapped high about his ankles. His skin was burned brown as by the suns of the wastelands and Arus glanced nervously at his broad shoulders, massive chest and heavy arms, A single look at the moody, broad-browed features told the watchman the man was no Nemedian. From under a mop of unruly black hair smoldered a pair of dangerous blue eyes. A long sword hung in a leather scabbard at his girdle."
edit: this isn't necessarily my go to image either, just the first I could lay hands on from the stories that had him loinclothed and warrior-impressive looking.
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Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
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Yeah I don't really care if the actor playing Conan is European or Polynesian. I'm more interested if he can pull it off "acting-wise" (not acting like Shakespeare but all the physical action stuff) and if the story is good.
The nerd-rage generated by the new Conan not being an exact Ah-nold clone is probably going to be a similar to the nerd-rage over the new Wonder Woman not being an exact Lynda Carter clone. People just need to get over the fact that the these new actors deserve a chance at these roles because otherwise we're never going to get anything new from the characters. 
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Actually, Power_Play's right: Conan is supposed to be a Celtic analogue. As such, he's a massive Germanic or Gallic warrior. Since his description is "far northern" and his name is a traditional Irish name, then "lily white" might be apt. It's possible "dark" in this instance doesn't literally mean a "non-white" appearance but rather his countenance.|
Originally Posted by Smersh
You fail.
The first description of Conan does not describe your lily-white thoughts. "... a tall man, mightily shouldered and deep of chest, with a massive corded neck and heavily muscled limbs. He was clad in silk and velvet, with the royal lions of Aquilonia worked in gold upon his rich jupon, and the crown of Aquilonia shone on his square-cut black mane; but the great sword at his side seemed more natural to him than the regal accoutrements. His brow was low and broad, his eyes a volcanic blue that smoldered as if with some inner fire. His dark, scarred, almost sinister face was that of a fighting-man, and his velvet garments could not conceal the hard, dangerous lines of his limbs." |
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| And, really, I'm much more interested in whether he can pull off the physicality of the role and Conan's brooding manner rather than if his eyes are blue. |
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I'm amending my Triple HHH post and saying that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, should have been Conan.....with a wig I guess. Can you smellllll what the Scorpion King has cooking?
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Certainly, Conan is supposed to be Northen European in origin; anyone who has read how Howard wrote about those who were not white would certainly realize this.|
Originally Posted by Ironik
Actually, Power_Play's right: Conan is supposed to be a Celtic analogue. As such, he's a massive Germanic or Gallic warrior. Since his description is "far northern" and his name is a traditional Irish name, then "lily white" might be apt. It's possible "dark" in this instance doesn't literally mean a "non-white" appearance but rather his countenance.
Me too. As with many characters, I don't think Conan's exact physical details are vitally important. I don't think you could go with someone who isn't at least vaguely Caucasian, but ballpark is good enough. |
My point was rather that Conan is described as being bronzed and dark from spending a lot of time out in the sun - as such, it's hardly a stretch to have an actor with darker skin (like Momoa) playing Conan.
And I once had a serious conversation with a co-worker about casting a black Conan - he didn't get that Michael Clarke Duncan, while a great actor, was simply too big for the role. Part of Conan's appeal is that he can face off against warriors who are bigger and stronger than he is and win out with his barbarian cunning. It's hard to find actors who are bigger than Duncan is.
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I'll give it a shot, I'm an Ahnold fan when it comes to Conan, but hell if the movie is good, I'll be fine with it.
Besides, would be good reason to go reactive my AoC account and get all hack & slash on some vanir!
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Even if he works out for a million years, Jason Momoa will NOT have the broad shoulders and massive chest mentioned in that quote. He's too long and lanky, with more of a swimmer's build. And yes, his skin is naturally dark, but it seems too much so for a northern European having been "burned brown." I'm NOT a big fan of Ah-nold's acting, but physically he was THE perfect Conan.|
Originally Posted by Chyll
His skin was burned brown as by the suns of the wastelands and Arus glanced nervously at his broad shoulders, massive chest and heavy arms...
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Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of Momoa from his work on Stargate: Atlantis. It's where I first saw him and I loved the way he played his character, never becoming too full of himself as a bad@$$, and always ready to slip in the occasional bit of dry humor. He's just not a good fit for the role of Conan.
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Originally Posted by Smersh
You fail.
The first description of Conan does not describe your lily-white thoughts. |
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I don't know if it's true or not, but the IMDB Trivia page for Conan the Barbarian says Arnold was so huge at the time that he couldn't swing a sword properly. Your quote amused me for that reason.|
Originally Posted by Power_Play
I'm NOT a big fan of Ah-nold's acting, but physically he was THE perfect Conan.
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Conan is generally described as large and well-muscled, but always likened to a panther, which calls to mind more lean muscle.
I'm far more interested in whether Momoa can pull off the charisma I think of when I think of Conan. Yes, he was a barbarian, but he was also a leader of men, and a king.
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It was mentioned that Arnold was too big. Do you know what kind of training he did to bring his shape more in line with what they wanted for the part? Swimming.
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Originally Posted by Power_Play
Even if he works out for a million years, Jason Momoa will NOT have the broad shoulders and massive chest mentioned in that quote. He's too long and lanky, with more of a swimmer's build....I'm NOT a big fan of Ah-nold's acting, but physically he was THE perfect Conan.
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Agreed, particularly as the Cimmerians, as I recall, lived in proximity to the norse analogs of the setting, and Conan measured his youth in the number of 'snows' or winters he had survived.|
Originally Posted by Ironik
Actually, Power_Play's right: Conan is supposed to be a Celtic analogue. As such, he's a massive Germanic or Gallic warrior. Since his description is "far northern" and his name is a traditional Irish name, then "lily white" might be apt.
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Originally Posted by Ironik
It's possible "dark" in this instance doesn't literally mean a "non-white" appearance but rather his countenance.
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Originally Posted by Ironik
Me too. As with many characters, I don't think Conan's exact physical details are vitally important. I don't think you could go with someone who isn't at least vaguely Caucasian, but ballpark is good enough.
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City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
Quote:
This is why I mentioned people being unreasonably upset Lynda Carter is not going to be able to keep playing Wonder Woman in my last post. Unless you can figure out how to de-age Ah-nold 30 years and keep him that way he's not going to be able to play the role of Conan forever. Eventually someone else is going to have to give it a try.|
Originally Posted by ebon3
I'll give it a shot, I'm an Ahnold fan when it comes to Conan, but hell if the movie is good, I'll be fine with it.
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Originally Posted by Smersh
My point was rather that Conan is described as being bronzed and dark from spending a lot of time out in the sun - as such, it's hardly a stretch to have an actor with darker skin (like Momoa) playing Conan.
|
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Actually, the map of Conan's world maps to the real world fairly well.
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Originally Posted by Lothic
I don't really mind Momoa giving it a try. If he can handle the action required for the role I'm sure he'll do fine with it. Besides where exactly in the world of Conan is "Northern Europe" located? Let's not worry too much about fitting a real world actor's ethnicity 100% exactly to a fictional one. |
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Eh, so I don't have that particular set of "earth-cloned fantasy" maps memorized. |
Originally Posted by Smersh
Actually, the map of Conan's world maps to the real world fairly well.
|
My point still stands. People who are upset that an ACTOR playing a role is not Swedish, Celtish, Klingon or whatever need to lighten up just a tad. It's this guy's chance to do a good job with the role regardless. If he messes up I'm sure there will be plenty of other reasons to fault him other than the fact that he's Polynesian.
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Oh, I agree with you 100%. If it fails, it's because Momoa isn't Conan enough, not because he's not European enough.|
Originally Posted by Lothic
Eh, so I don't have that particular set of "earth-cloned fantasy" maps memorized.
My point still stands. People who are upset that an ACTOR playing a role is not Swedish, Celtish, Klingon or whatever need to lighten up just a tad. It's this guy's chance to do a good job with the role regardless. If he messes up I'm sure there will be plenty of other reasons to fault him other than the fact that he's Polynesian. |
Personally, I hope it succeeds and that Momoa is more Conan than Arnold ever was.
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3D also has a tendency to make the picture dimmer, which quite a few people grouse about. Avatar worked well for 3D, and it did add some feel to the movie, but I do have to wonder how much it was really needed even there. *shrugs* It was mostly a "oh look, there's ash floating in the air" feel than anything... in the actual action, I was more focused on the 2D (if there was any 3D at those times... I honestly don't recall seeing it).
It can add some atmosphere, I guess, but I honestly have to wonder how much it's adding that can't already be done with a good director, film crew, etc.
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