There’s been a lot of speculation recently over who would play Conan The Barbarian in Marcus Nispel’s upcoming new version of the classic tales. Recently it was said to be down to three people – Stargate Atlantis star Jason Momoa, Twilight’s Kellan Lutz and an unnamed third actor (now thought to be Supernatural’s Jared Padalecki). Well, the people behind the movie have made up their minds and they’ve gone with Momoa.
Variety reports that Momoa has the role, and that he’ll head over to Bugaria to start filming in March. Although you’re unlikely to know him if you’re not a Stargate: Atlantis Fan (although the dedicated may remember him from the last couple of seasons of Baywatch), he’s certainly got the right look for the role. He’s also pretty good at moody intensity on Atlantis, which should bode him well when he’s thrust into Robert E. Howard’s fantasy Hyborian Age.
Momoa apparently got the role after going to meetings last week and doing another screentest. He apparently charmed the pants off everybody and convinced them he was their man.
There’s also a rumour going round (started at Latino Review), that Mickey Rourke may be in the frame to play Conan’s dad, Corn. Who knew they had people whose face looked like putty after Atlantis sank but before the other civilisations rose? Apparently he’s been offered the role but has yet to commit.