Robert E. Howard scholar Patrice Louinet recently had the opportunity to look at a number of
Conan set pictures and to speak with Paradox Entertainment CEO and
Conan producer Fredrik Malmberg.
Louinet talked to Fantasy.fr about his visit and some of what he got to see.
Fantasy.fr: Patrice, what can you unveil about the set, the scenery, the costumes you saw on those pictures ?
Patrice Louinet: You have to understand that there is a lot I am not at liberty to divulge, but among other things I was quite impressed by an oriental scene that had very vivid colors. I got to see several scenes set in Cimmeria and all showed a snow-covered country. When I mentioned to Fredrik that Howard's Cimmeria was supposed to be an overcast, greyish hill country, he was quick to assure me there are "tons of bleak, grey, rainy Cimmerian shots" in the movie, or words to that effect. Just my luck, I only got to see the snow-covered ones! Otherwise, the costumes are very realistic, they don’t look cheap of kitsch. Fantasy.fr: Did you feel through these pictures that Howard’s masterpiece was shown the respect it was due?
Patrice Louinet: I have to say that some of the things I saw were positive : Momoa’s Conan seems to me a lot like Howard’s, but I have already said that. Here again, I am only commenting on his looks, I don’t know anything as to his acting capacities. And while I am at it, the only CGI on Momoa will be to change the color of his eyes. I am also happy to report there won’t be any « Wheel of Pain », as in Milius’ movie! From what I saw, you can also expect some frontal nudity. One huge Bulgarian guy playing one of the baddies seems to come right out of a Turanian den.
Fredrik Malmberg told me that Ron Perlman was a longtime fan, who had Leo Howard – who plays young Conan – read the stories. Seems almost everyone is reading Howard on the set. Even Stephen Lang! Malmberg also told me he did insist (and won his case) that Conan’s name should be stressed on the first syllable, the way Howard did, and not like the usual American Co-NAN.By the way, Momoa seems quite taken with his role. I remember a pic taken at lunch time where everybody’s eating but him: he’s training with his sword. It’s of course good news, but how – or even if – that will show on the screen remains to be seen. This being said, I won’t delude myself into thinking this movie is going to be faithful to Howard, not by a long shot. I greatly fear to discover what’s in the final script. For more of the interview follow the link below.
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