Rorschach Cast!...?

The rumour mill spins, and reports become as insubstantial as the hot air spouted in Hollywood daily. According to AICN the news that Keanu Reeves had turned down a role as Dr Manhattan in Zack Snyder's Watchmen adaptation is not entirely true. He actually priced himself out of the movie. As Moriarty goes on to say, the new favourite for the role is not Billy Crudup, but Jason Patric, a far better choice than Reeves to my mind. Check out any film he's done, and you'll see the same balance of stillness and menacing presence, that makes him perfect for Manhattan

Now, what about Rorschach? Well, this bit of news comes via CHUD, and a report that suggests their roving

reporter Mr Beaks had a hand in Snyder casting Jackie Earle Haley in the role of Rorschach. Whether this is true or not it's caught me completely by surprise. He's menacing and at least now, has a relatively unknown status, but does he have the acting chops to pull it off?

The actual confirmation apparently comes via Paddy Considine's official website, in a comment that suggests he was pursuing the role himself; news that is a little disappointing as he'd have made a very interesting Rorschach. It certainly seems more concrete than previous rumours, and as AICN reports, if everything pans out, it will make an onscreen reunion with Haley playing unlikely partner to 'Little Children' co-star, Patrick Wilson's, Nite Owl.

Although this is the meat to my delectable Hollywood pie for today, AICN caps their report with a tantalising suggestion of who could be playing The Comedian, the bigoted super patriot who takes a scraper swan dive in the film's opening scene:

The Comedian’s still up for grabs, too, but they’ve looked at everyone from Ron Pearlman to Nathan Fillion for the role. Right now, it sounds like there’s one actor who Snyder likes for the part, but I’m not at liberty to divulge his identity yet. Let’s just say it’s a “punishing” choice, and the actor brings a lot of comic book credibility to the role if he ends up playing it.

So that's Thomas Jane (or Dolph Lundgren ;) ) then.....

Whatever your thoughts on these choices, and we haven't got as far as the female characters yet, it's proof positive that Snyder and, most surprisingly, WB are not going for the easy lay. Wilson and Hayley both have performance over pomp and anyone who's seen Jane in Stander knows he can act. As for Patric, well I'm a huge fan, especially for smaller films like Geronimo and Narc. Strangely enough it's this rumour more than the others that I hope becomes truth fairly soon.

Once again, ComiCon awaits, and by then I'm sure Watchmen fans can sigh sweet relief.....