Sure, the years worth of behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Watchmen is an epic story in itself, but lately it seems as though an adaptation of DC Comics Jonah Hex is starting to give it a run for its money.
This morning, Variety broke the news that due to creative differences, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor have officially dropped out as directors for the in-early-development, big screen adaptation of Jonah Hex DCs resident post-apocalyptic, anti-hero cowboy. And while we could speculate all day as to what those differences were, the writing was on the wall when we spoke to Josh Brolin a few days ago, the actor whos had an on-again, off-again attachment to the lead role of Hex.
When I first read it I thought, oh my God its awful! Brolin exclaimed to MTV News. And then I had a moment a week later and I thought why is it awful? Maybe the thing to do is to do the most awful movie I can find.
The idea of doing Hex grew on Brolin, the actor told us, proclaiming that in the hands of the right director and cast it could be a winner. When asked if the Crank helmers were still on board, Brolin replied, Its all up in the air, an early indication of todays announcement that the duo were leaving the project.
According to Brolin, its the zaniness of the story that attracts him to the project. [I love] the absurdity of it, he said. It almost allows you to create a new genre. I love going back into the spaghetti western idea and completely turning it around.
When pressed further if and when he plans on making an official announcement regarding taking the role, Brolin replied, Soon. In the last couple months Ive been going back and forth about it. I went back to my gut. Is it a sell out? What is it I like about this movie?
Its so tongue in cheek. Its so ridiculous. But once I started putting people in my mind and saying what if I put Malkovich in this role then what does this movie become? Now lets put this producer and director on it and think about how it plays out. Then it becomes fun. Now I love that movie. If you have a great filmmaker come in then suddenly these gags and characters become interesting.
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When I read this, it definitely sounds like Josh Brolin is on-board. Which is great news, helping to ease the pain of Neveldine & Taylor departing. Brolin would be a great Hex.
And before people criticise him about looking down on Jonah Hex... he could have a point. I loved the script. But a big part of it's charm was the high-concept absurdity of it, the ridiculousness of some of the set-ups, and the way it slyly pulled the rug out from under the feet of various Western cliches.