1078 replies to this topic

[marktmurphy]

I always thought the rumours of Davenport for Bond were a bit silly, but for a TV Saint... yeah, I could see that.

[screamingmoonrock]

Ian,

In your opinion, who whould you prefer to be cast as ST?

[Ian Dickerson]

Ian,

In your opinion, who whould you prefer to be cast as ST?

Funny thing is that in all the meetngs I've sat in regarding getting the Saint back on TV all the agents and producers can offer showrunners and directors who would be ideal, people who happily admit they knew the Saint in some form growing up and many who seem to have it in their blood. But no one, absolutely no one, has rushed to put forward a leading man.

The one thing everyone seems to agree on though is that we need someone in their late 20s or early 30s.

I don't think there's an obvious candidate though I can think of several people I'd want to drag in for auditions, to see if they can do the light comedy.

Jack Davenport certainly looks like he could do the job, but all the characters I've ever seen him play seem to be blustering fools of a sort and I'd be worried he couldn't break that. I'd certainly want to see him audition though.

Max Brown is another good possiblity, but I'd like to see him audition as I'm not sure he could do light comedy.

Now if Matt Bomer could anglicise his accent and could be prised away from White Collar then I'd be happy. Well actually I wouldn't, because I really like White Collar...but you know what I mean!

I strongly suspect this comes from the showrunner we've been talking to discussing possible casting with his contacts. There are two things I should make clear:

1. This showrunner is no longer involved with the Saint - much to everyone's disappointment.
2. The chances of the show ending up at the Beeb are slim to non-existent.

Ian

Just to add a little bit of intrigue...it seems I was wrong with point 1 and no one connected with the rights holders or producers has been into the BBC to discuss the Saint. Curiously I'd also heard similiar stories myself--the joys of working at TV Centre--so I can only conclude it was wishful thinking on someone's part.

[marktmurphy]

Max Brown is another good possiblity, but I'd like to see him audition as I'm not sure he could do light comedy.

I tend to think he's not really great at acting, myself.
He's not perfect but I'd prefer someone striking and talented like Laurence Fox or something.

[David Schofield]

I guess for the "younger" market and gossip/media mags, the new Saint would have to have a young, pretty face (or at least be "unusually" appealling like Craig).

But I'm sure a convincing, charming, sophisticated, wordly Saint is best portayed by an older man.

Unless the plan is retcon/reboot backstory nonsense...

Totally "it'd never happen", but Mr S. Dutton could still do it (yes, I am a fan of the odd charm of his shows )

[Ian Dickerson]

I guess for the "younger" market and gossip/media mags, the new Saint would have to have a young, pretty face (or at least be "unusually" appealling like Craig).

But I'm sure a convincing, charming, sophisticated, wordly Saint is best portayed by an older man.

Unless the plan is retcon/reboot backstory nonsense...

Totally "it'd never happen", but Mr S. Dutton could still do it (yes, I am a fan of the odd charm of his shows )

There will be no "retcon/reboot backstory nonsense..." on my watch.

Not sure how long my watch will last though...

[Simon]

I can't think of anyone right now who could play the Saint, although in times past I did think Rupert Everett would have been good from an appearance and arrogance point of view.

Of course this would have been a non starter as, 'who could put up with a gay man playing a straight hero'? (the US couldn't even utilise the stick figure for their '97 Saint campaign - instead changing it to a flash of lightening or in one case the figure was used but the 'limp' hand was up turned and the other taken off his hip slightly.)

But upon seeing Everett in Best Friend's Wedding, he had all the characteristics for the appearance; slight figure, black hair, looks, and the arrogance and comedic light touch fairly shone through in every scene. I daresay he might have come up short in the action elements, but hey.

Thing is, in the books, the Saint is reciting poetry, singing songs, linking arms with his mates and is anything but the strong silent type as he is given to such large amounts of verbiage. Whoever takes this part will have to be a curious mix of the almost camp together with abject danger. I am not even sure it would translate.

Anyway, all this supposing the above makes its way into a future interpretation.

[marktmurphy]

I guess for the "younger" market and gossip/media mags, the new Saint would have to have a young, pretty face (or at least be "unusually" appealling like Craig).

Yeah, I mean wasn't there a bit of a following for David Tennant? Not the most Hollywood handsome of folk, but appealing all the same, apparently. I'd rather a Tennant who can act and has charisma than that Max bloke from Spooks who can't.
I don't see the Saint as someone who has to have male model looks.

[Ian Dickerson]

I can't think of anyone right now who could play the Saint, although in times past I did think Rupert Everett would have been good from an appearance and arrogance point of view.

Of course this would have been a non starter as, 'who could put up with a gay man playing a straight hero'? (the US couldn't even utilise the stick figure for their '97 Saint campaign - instead changing it to a flash of lightening or in one case the figure was used but the 'limp' hand was up turned and the other taken off his hip slightly.)

But upon seeing Everett in Best Friend's Wedding, he had all the characteristics for the appearance; slight figure, black hair, looks, and the arrogance and comedic light touch fairly shone through in every scene. I daresay he might have come up short in the action elements, but hey.

Thing is, in the books, the Saint is reciting poetry, singing songs, linking arms with his mates and is anything but the srtong silent type as he is given to such large amounts of verbiage. Whoever takes this part will have to be a curious mix of the almost camp together abject danger. I am not even sure it would translate.

Anyway, all this supposing the above makes its way into a future interpretation.

A few years ago I would have agreed with you, Everett could have done a splendid job. But I'm afraid I do think he's passed his Saintliest now...

Ian

[Col. Sun]

I can't think of anyone right now who could play the Saint, although in times past I did think Rupert Everett would have been good from an appearance and arrogance point of view.

Of course this would have been a non starter as, 'who could put up with a gay man playing a straight hero'? (the US couldn't even utilise the stick figure for their '97 Saint campaign - instead changing it to a flash of lightening or in one case the figure was used but the 'limp' hand was up turned and the other taken off his hip slightly.)

But upon seeing Everett in Best Friend's Wedding, he had all the characteristics for the appearance; slight figure, black hair, looks, and the arrogance and comedic light touch fairly shone through in every scene. I daresay he might have come up short in the action elements, but hey.

Thing is, in the books, the Saint is reciting poetry, singing songs, linking arms with his mates and is anything but the srtong silent type as he is given to such large amounts of verbiage. Whoever takes this part will have to be a curious mix of the almost camp together abject danger. I am not even sure it would translate.

Anyway, all this supposing the above makes its way into a future interpretation.

A few years ago I would have agreed with you, Everett could have done a splendid job. But I'm afraid I do think he's passed his Saintliest now...

Ian

Ian, this may be of interest to you, but a few years back I worked with Jack Davenport. He's a very intelligent man. Sophisticated. Charming. I really enjoyed working with him. I remember we actually discussed that he'd make a good ST. I'm a fan of the original stories. Really like the early films - as flawed as they are - there is some terrific banter in the George Sanders films - and I always felt Roger Moore was better as The Saint than as Bond - so, working with Jack Davenport, I saw a mix of those Sanders/Moore qualities - hence our discussion.

[Simon]

Maybe Hugh Jackman...

Although I do think the Saint should be someone firmly in his early 30s. The Saint is all youthful exhuberence, self belief and energy. He is not the world weary time honoured professional of a million international governmental missions serving Monarchy and country. He really should be long term on his own, not the 'officer who's turning his back on the establishment just this once.'

Thing is, the book stories I would imagine would lend themselves better to TV. They are more personally driven in nature, and if this is to be followed, TV remains their home. I do concur with someone before me that the '30's B movies were probably best for the mix of both banter and the cut and thrust. And of course they were filmed, of the time of the books.

[screamingmoonrock]

I'd be happy with Jack Davenport as ST, or Richard Armitage, but both are now in their late 30's.......but you never know.

I agree with Ian, late 20's early 30's is what ST needs to be. Matt Bomer has the looks for ST, just add bullet scar through left shoulder and scars on forearms and we have our man.

What we need is a credible British actor who is not widely known, maybe a handful of films to his name, even someone with a soap-opera background. An actor who is equally comfortable doing film roles as well as TV roles, like what Idris Elba does.

How about Rupert Friend as ST ? Sort of reminds me of a young Brosnan/Johnny Depp.

To be honest, we need a young Ralp Fiennes with the added sarcasm of Blackadder.

[Ian Dickerson]

I'd be happy with Jack Davenport as ST, or Richard Armitage, but both are now in their late 30's.......but you never know.

I agree with Ian, late 20's early 30's is what ST needs to be. Matt Bomer has the looks for ST, just add bullet scar through left shoulder and scars on forearms and we have our man.

What we need is a credible British actor who is not widely known, maybe a handful of films to his name, even someone with a soap-opera background. An actor who is equally comfortable doing film roles as well as TV roles, like what Idris Elba does.

How about Rupert Friend as ST ? Sort of reminds me of a young Brosnan/Johnny Depp.

To be honest, we need a young Ralp Fiennes with the added sarcasm of Blackadder.

I've been so busy I hadn't twigged how old Jack Davenport is. But hey, he's almost a decade younger than dear old James Purefoy...

I always though Fiennes looked a bit too wimpy for the Saint.

Ian

[Bond Bombshell]

When one starts to look for younger, experienced Brit actors who are vaguely Saintly the pickings look really slim to me. Max Brown is worth an audition and has the looks of a Moore/Ogilvy style Saint, but whether he has their charisma is another matter.

One actor that may be worth looking at is 34 year old Adam Rayner who is currently filming Spooks replacement spy series Nemesis.

[screamingmoonrock]

I always thought Fiennes would have made a better ST than Val Kilmer.

How about this fella, the great grandson of Charles Dickens, Harry Lloyd http://harry-lloyd.tumblr.com/. Bulk him up, he maybe ideal.

[Ian Dickerson]

You're not the first person to mention Harry Lloyd to me and I'd add him to the list of people to audition.

As for Adam Rayner, well, I've not knowingly seen any of his work but from his photos alone I'd give him an audition

Ian

Edited by Ian Dickerson, 17 December 2011 - 07:14 PM.

[marktmurphy]

Harry Lloyd is a very watchable and talented actor: I actually had him down for being a great young Sherlock, but that's rather been taken now!

Speaking of which, watching the new Holmes film it's very easy to see Jude Law as Templar.

[Ian Dickerson]

Okay Mark, you and I will have to agree to disagree here. I've not seen the new Holmes film but I've seen absolutely no evidence in his career to date that would make me think Jude Law is a suitable candidate for a halo.

[David Schofield]

Aw, it. Aim for Hollywood.

Get Bradley Cooper to do it and you can just about name your budget.

Right age bracket from what's been suggested. Roguish charm with the required good looks.

Now, can he crack an English accent?

[marktmurphy]

Okay Mark, you and I will have to agree to disagree here. I've not seen the new Holmes film but I've seen absolutely no evidence in his career to date that would make me think Jude Law is a suitable candidate for a halo.

I'd agree, he's always previously been a bit too fey and pretty; but in Holmes he does convince as a tougher sort of chap (easily more so than Ogilvy ever did, anyway!) and he's very good with the banter and light comedy stuff too. It's worth a watch, not least because it's a corker of a film!

Aw, it. Aim for Hollywood.

Get Bradley Cooper to do it and you can just about name your budget.

Right age bracket from what's been suggested. Roguish charm with the required good looks.

Now, can he crack an English accent?

Yeah, he'd be cracking. He's got a good glint in his eye.

[screamingmoonrock]

Luke Evans has the right credentials as well as roguish looks.

Is anyone of the opinion that Henry Cavill would be perfect as ST ?

If I was a casting for the show, Harry Lloyd would be no.1 on my list for a sub 35yr old ST.

[Ian Dickerson]

It's s shame Henry Cavill is tied up being the Man of Steel, cos I think he'd be quite good. As would Bradley Cooper but he's got such a busy movie career I don't think we'd get him on TV

[Ian Dickerson]

Of course you can complain. PM me your name and address and I'll try and find out what's happened.

Ian

[Simon]

Sir - did you find out about my question too?

[St Louis]

New Saint movie? This is a bit of a shock out the blue. Funny, this article mentions only Ian Ogilvy and Val Kilmer, sans Roger Moore or even RKO's George Sanders:

"RKO Pictures is reviving Simon Templar and "The Saint," signing Travis Wright ("Eagle Eye") to pen a script based on the debonair hero.
The Saint, a sort of modern-day Robin Hood, was created by Leslie Charteris and first appeared in the 1928 book "Enter the Tiger." Known as the Saint because of his initials, Templar's targets included lowlifes and corrupt politicians; he often left a calling card at his "crimes," a stick figure of a man with a halo -- which served as the logo of the Charteris books, movies, and the 1960s TV series starring Roger Moore.
Movies featuring the Saint began in 1938 with "The Saint in New York," then "The Saint Strikes Back" and several others. Ian Ogilvy starred in the 1978-79 series "Return of the Saint" and Val Kilmer starred in Paramount's 1997 version.
RKO, with a legacy dating back to "Citizen Kane" and "King Kong," is expected to distribute drama "A Late Quartet," starrring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, and Christopher Walken. Wright and former partner John Glenn wrote drafts for remakes of "Clash of the Titans" at Warner Bros., "Journey to the Center of the Earth" at Fox and "The Warriors" at Paramount. Wright is repped by Benderspink."

http://www.variety....69?refCatId=13

Edited by St Louis, 25 January 2012 - 02:26 PM.

[jaguar007]

It does mention Roger Moore right at the end of the first paragraph.

[St Louis]

Oh, yes, silly me!

[Ian Dickerson]

RKO have the rights to remake their old B&W films but they cannot change the dialogue and they cannot change the length of the picture. They must be remade as a movie, for they have no TV rights.

So, if they want to remake The Saint in New York it has to be 69 mins in length.

It'll be fascinating to see if they can get this off the ground.

[St Louis]

Given the above restrictions it make's you wonder why they need a scriptwriter at all? RKO would do better by talking to Moore & co about, either, collaborating or selling their interest.

[St Louis]

Saintly Ian Dickerson gives a good update, answering some burning questions here: http://www.spywise.n...n-interview.pdf

Edited by St Louis, 25 February 2012 - 01:52 PM.