1078 replies to this topic

[Brisco]

You think Eddie Izzard, really? Doctor Who, maybe. The Saint, no way...

I'm not saying he'd be my top choice, just that he'd be an interesting one. Moreso than Scott, I think. I also think Izzard's got more range than we've really seen, and could probably pull it off. (His turn as Charlie Chaplin in The Cat's Meow was probably his Saintliest to date.) But his history with remakes of classic Sixties series is not good: remember The Avengers?

As long as we're discussing comedians, why hasn't anyone brought up Steve Coogan yet? He's British, in his forties, done film and television, not blond, and well-known on both sides of the Atlantic. I don't know if he golfs, though. But he's long shown an (obsessive?) appreciation for Roger Moore both in his characters and out, and he was attached to be Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! movie opposite Ben Stiller for a while. (Maybe still?) I don't really picture him as Simon Templar, but I do respect his talent so I'm sure he could pull it off...

For the record, my own top choices are both long out of the running: Purefoy and Northam.

Brisco

[Dekard77]

HMMM isn't it time Ian made a small announcement. I mean golfing aside who on earth is the lead??

[marktmurphy]

As long as we're discussing comedians, why hasn't anyone brought up Steve Coogan yet? He's British, in his forties, done film and television, not blond, and well-known on both sides of the Atlantic. I don't know if he golfs, though. But he's long shown an (obsessive?) appreciation for Roger Moore both in his characters and out, and he was attached to be Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders! movie opposite Ben Stiller for a while. (Maybe still?) I don't really picture him as Simon Templar, but I do respect his talent so I'm sure he could pull it off...

That's a decent guess, actually- makes good sense.

[jaguar007]

HMMM isn't it time Ian made a small announcement. I mean golfing aside who on earth is the lead??

He is waiting for contracts to be signed and for it to be official

[Ian Dickerson]

He is waiting for contracts to be signed and for it to be official

The contract is signed. Just waiting for notes back from Sony on the latest draft which will hopefully lead us towards a green light in the next few days and then I'll be spilling beans all over the place...

Pre-production starts Aug 17th. Gotta find our Saint his Patricia and a Fernack to play with...

Ian

[TheSaint]

Fernack? Interesting.

[Ian Dickerson]

Fernack? Interesting.

Was originally Teal in the script but the character, although a good foil for the Saint, bore no resemblance to Claud Eustace and was much more John Henry so we've been pushing for it to be changed and I think we've succeeded...

Ian

[jaguar007]

Can't wait to hear more

[Bond Bombshell]

The contract is signed. Just waiting for notes back from Sony on the latest draft which will hopefully lead us towards a green light in the next few days and then I'll be spilling beans all over the place...

Pre-production starts Aug 17th. Gotta find our Saint his Patricia and a Fernack to play with...

Ian

Excellent news and I'm looking forward to those beans being spilled.

I'm wondering how filming in Canada will affect casting and the choice of characters, for instance was the decision to go with Fernack (an American character?) rather than Teal influenced by the location? How about Patricia? Do you think that the character will remain British or are they likely to look at Canadian actresses for the part?

[St Louis]

I'm wondering how filming in Canada will affect casting and the choice of characters, for instance was the decision to go with Fernack (an American character?) rather than Teal influenced by the location? How about Patricia? Do you think that the character will remain British or are they likely to look at Canadian actresses for the part?

The change to Fernack is most likely down to the conception of the detective in the script being American. Even though there is greater sentiment for Teal, actually, Fernack was featured more frequently in the RKO movie series, played memorably by Canadian actor, Jonathan Hale.

As far I'm aware Patricia Holm was meant to be English, but for last year's script she was described as an exotic European. I hope they go for an English actress.

Edited by St Louis, 01 August 2009 - 05:53 PM.

[Ian Dickerson]

I'm wondering how filming in Canada will affect casting and the choice of characters, for instance was the decision to go with Fernack (an American character?) rather than Teal influenced by the location? How about Patricia? Do you think that the character will remain British or are they likely to look at Canadian actresses for the part?

The choice of location isn't obviously affecting the casting. The choice of Fernack over Teal is something I've been pushing for months and is entirely script based. It's also prompted by the possibility that future shows--assuming the pilot succeeds--may be shot outside of Canada and should they come to London it would make sense to use Teal then.

Pat was indeed initially written as a more exotic lady but I've been pushing for that to be changed and have her resort to her original character. I'll tell you next week whether or not I've succeeded.

The casting really is about getting people who have a certain chemistry with our leading man, although an ability to play a little comedy wouldn't go amiss for whomever plays Fernack.

Ian

[Tybre]

Now when you say "exotic" are we talking French? Italian? Eastern European? Asian?

[jaguar007]

Now when you say "exotic" are we talking French? Italian? Eastern European? Asian?

or dancer

[Ian Dickerson]

Now when you say "exotic" are we talking French? Italian? Eastern European? Asian?

"classic Eurasian or creole"

Ian

[Dekard77]

Now when you say "exotic" are we talking French? Italian? Eastern European? Asian?

"classic Eurasian or creole"

Ian

Danke for the update ! Have no clue who this Pat character is but sounds good. Watched a few episodes of The Philanthropist. Must say it wasn't all that great,especially the last 2 episodes.

[Ian Dickerson]

Danke for the update ! Have no clue who this Pat character is but sounds good. Watched a few episodes of The Philanthropist. Must say it wasn't all that great,especially the last 2 episodes.

Funnily enough the last episode...the one with the guy impersonating Teddy Rist..I thought was by far and away the best. The others have been a great help curing my insomnia.

Ian

[Dekard77]

Danke for the update ! Have no clue who this Pat character is but sounds good. Watched a few episodes of The Philanthropist. Must say it wasn't all that great,especially the last 2 episodes.

Funnily enough the last episode...the one with the guy impersonating Teddy Rist..I thought was by far and away the best. The others have been a great help curing my insomnia.

Ian

The last one I saw was is Bosnian episode. I felt it was too uneven and way too far fetched. The first two episodes tried hard to get some structure. I also found it hilarious in the first episode where they show a toy which has certain significance to The Saint (also in the '97 movie it's featured).

[Dekard77]

Now when you say "exotic" are we talking French? Italian? Eastern European? Asian?

"classic Eurasian or creole"

Ian

Danke for the update ! Have no clue who this Pat character is but sounds good. Watched a few episodes of The Philanthropist. Must say it wasn't all that great,especially the last 2 episodes.

Patricia Holm = Simon Templars faithfull companion in the early days of his Saintly adventures, They met in Meet the Tiger. I always pictured her as a blonde, but I blame that on Mr. Charteris

Ok must watch the old tapes again.

[jaguar007]

Ok must watch the old tapes again.

Patricia Holm was never in any of the TV shows and only 1 movie (RKO's The Saint Meets the Tiger). Her character was in most of the early Saint novels when ST was more like the head of a gang than the independent adventurer he was to become.

[Dekard77]

Thanks for the advice. It's a bit hard to watch the George Sanders version as a The Saint. It just seems like a B&W detective story. No character identification. Either way nothing to beat Sir Roger's performance.

[St Louis]

I thought this was interesting:

From http://www.roger-moo...e/july2009.html

"Hello Sir Roger

Thank you for answering my May question

My question for July is this... picture of the return of the sent with Ian Ogilvy

Did you ever watch the series Return Of The Saint with Ian Ogilvy and if so what did you think of it?

I think if there is going to be a Saint movie Geoffrey Moore should play him as a young man and Ian Ogilvy should play him as a mature man because I think Ian did a fine job (not as good as you of course,original is always the best).

Thanks again for answering our questions
Take care
Best wishes
Noel

Also

Hi Sir Roger,

If there is a Saint movie, who is going to play the role of the Saint?
I hope it's someone who looks like you, otherwise fans me be disapointed again. Remember Val Kilmer?
And I hope the action takes place in London, not in Toronto.
Regards,

Claude

Hi Noel & Claude

No I never really watched Return Of The Saint, aside from a few clips. I was busy doing other things then, and besides I didn't want to have to answer questions in interviews about how I rated Ian Ogilvy - I'm sure he was absolutely brilliant in all the episodes, but I felt it more diplomatic to be able to say "I've not seen them" - much like I did with Timothy Dalton's Bond.

I can't yet say who is going to be the new Saint - it's getting very close to being signed and sealed though, and we're all delighted withthe choice.

It'll be filmed in Canada.

The actor involved has a great and I'm sure you'll all be pleased."

Has a great what? I'm not sure, but I think Roger means he approves of the choice.

[marktmurphy]

A great bottom.

[Tybre]

Roger slips up every now and again, if you look at the Q&As carefully. Definitely meant he approved of the choice. Great what? I dunno. Great personality? History? When I read it yesterday my brain just translated it to "The actor involved is great" so count me out, I suppose.

[Bond Bombshell]

The actor involved has a great and I'm sure you'll all be pleased."

Has a great what? I'm not sure, but I think Roger means he approves of the choice.

Either -

A great presence.

A great halo.

A great knack of staying unguessed on CBn.

or

A great collection of nice frocks. (This last one would probably point in the direction of Eddie Izzard).

[Royal Dalton]

The actor involved has a great

"... ability to speak with an English accent, despite his natural Scottish burr."

[Double-Oh Agent]

The actor involved has a great and I'm sure you'll all be pleased."

Has a great what? I'm not sure, but I think Roger means he approves of the choice.

Either -

A great presence.

A great halo.

A great knack of staying unguessed on CBn.

or

A great collection of nice frocks. (This last one would probably point in the direction of Eddie Izzard).

Shoot, you beat me too it.

How about a great car?

A great script?

A great personality?

[David Schofield]

Isn't Val Kilmer still interested in returning then?

Wasn't he making positive noises about wanting to return as the Saint perhaps a year ago?

[Trident]

Isn't Val Kilmer still interested in returning then?

Wasn't he making positive noises about wanting to return as the Saint perhaps a year ago?

Seriously? Or was that 'Batman' he wanted to return to. Or 'Top Gun'?

?
?
?

Probably it was Mars!

[Dekard77]

Where is the Saint? Where are you dan it? I can't take the suspense anymore. What's with the shooting in Canada?

[David Schofield]

Where is the Saint? Where are you dan it? I can't take the suspense anymore. What's with the shooting in Canada?

Pretty much sure that the absence, all the delays and the shoooting in Canada are down to budgetary reasons.

I'm not sure how much confidence there really is in the Saint concept - studio investment, potential committment (Purefoy's baling out?)- though I'm very happy to be wrong.

Remember, the Bond producers moved away from "smooth guy in a suit" with Craig, and as of course was the last Saint project with Kilmer. And, of course, we all remember how, erm, disappointed 'real/true' Saint fans were with Kilmer.

Putting the Saint back on the screen can't be easy. There are A LOT of cliched traps to fall into with the idea (viz the Moore, Ogilvy and Dutton versions). Indeed, I venture the Saint's world is perhaps move cliched and limited than Bond.

That said, I am looking forward to the twist Ian Dickerson and those he is working with are able to introduce.