asshat on 20/9/2002 at 03:21
eidtor's note: I realize there's a whole thread about this farther down, but Ive worked a few days on this post and wanted to put it in its own thread, please forgive me. :) ------------
I was thinking the other night about what the Deus Ex movie would hopefully be like and brainstormed for a while with my friend and came up with some ideas as far as who could play what characters, who would be ideal for directing it, and who could do the soundtrack etc. Ive said from the beginning (after I finished the demo) that Deus Ex has the potential to be a fantastic movie, if done right, however I fear they are going to screw up royally, make Vin Diesel play JC Denton and a horde of other no-no's.
Anyway, to give you an idea, this is how I would like the following things to be done, of course with my luck, everything will occur as the exact opposite. Keep in mind, budget is not a factor in this, I realize it is a very BIG factor in how things happen in Hollywood though.
Soundtrack:I would like the soundtrack to be done by John Williams, but I want him to be collaborating with a/some Electronica/Techno artist(s). I'm not too proficient in who's who in the techno world, but some artist(s)
that would do the dark-cyber punk music really well would be perfect. Dark Ambient futuristic music that really puts you in the mood. However I would want the music from the game to be re-done but to follow the simiar progressions as the game soundtrack does. You can't ditch out on great songs like some of the stuff in Hong Kong, the title that plays while you spend time in the UNATCO base, some of the music from Vandenberg and Area 51, and of course the main title theme HAS to be played while the opening credits are rolling, no questions.
Also a must for the soundtrack, along side John Williams and these un-named Techno artists would HAVE to be Alexander Brandon, Dan Gardopee, and Michiel Van Den Bos, all who did the original soundtrack for the game. I would want them not only as consultants on how things sound, but also as co-writers. The reason why I want John Williams in it so bad, is not only is he a master at what he does, but I feel a classical/orchestral element added into the cyberpunk style music would be very good for the ambient feel and the cinematic feel of the movie. I think it might also be cool to have certain other songs in the soundtrack such as Moby - Anima and just other moody instrumentals that still maintain the dark sort of feel. However they have to be tasetfully placed and not overused. I still want to keep the soundtrack from the game as most of the music you hear in the movie. If all this occured think then the soundtrack could be an epic.
Directing:Ive done alot of thinking on this and feel that David Fincher would be perfect for the movie. Yeah, yeah, call me a Fincher fanboy, because its damn true. His work in Aliens3 and other movies like The Game, SE7EN, and of course Fight Club, just seem like he would be perfect for it. His camera work and just whole vision of how things flow cinematically is how I would want the Deus Ex movie to be. Sure, there are a lot of other great directors that could fit the bill and do quite well, but I think for the time period, locations, and settings that Deus Ex takes place in Fincher would fit the bill quite nicley.
I wouldn't want the movie to be flashy with over-used CG, a-la the new Star Wars movies. I want more of the special effects and camera work to be less flashy and "ooh look what we can do with the budget" and more about character development and moving the plotline forward. If too much time is spent on flashy camera angles or over-done fight scenes, they, as most are, could be a distraction and take a whole lot away from the movie. The humor in the movie, if any, would need to be very minimal, and maybe even subtle. I cringe every time I hear cheesy one liners, or anything else in a movie because again, it takes away from the submerssiveness of it all.
Characters:Im only going to list a few of the major ones, naturally there are many many minor ones that would only require actors for small parts, but as far as the major characters go, I think the following ideas would work nicley:
JC Denton: Stephen Baldwin (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Baldwin,+Stephen)
I originally really hesitated to choose the Baldwin brothers for this because I'm not super big fans of them. However Stephen's character in The Usual Suspects sways me otherwise. Even though he's a bit too old to portray JC, because JC is in his early twenties during this time, I think he could get away with it, as long as he sticks to his character and as long as the director does his job.
Paul Denton: Alec Baldwin (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Baldwin,+Alec)
As for Alec playing Paul, yes, its partly because he is the brother of Stephen, but I think he could pull off the role of Paul Denton quite well. Although he's also a little too old for it (I was thinking more of mid to late-thirties because Paul 10 or so years older than JC), again his role isn't that big, and there's only one action scene he might have to do. With some good directing I think both roles could be pulled off quite well, which is why I chose Fincher.
Anna Navarre: Famke Janssen (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Janssen,+Famke)
Why? Well, she's younger, and she's from Amsterdam, which gives her the accent. Thats the big part of the reason I chose her. I'm not to familiar with Famke's work except for in Xmen, Don't Say a Word, and Rounders. Each of which she did quite well. Also fortunatley Anna's role isnt that huge, and her accent will be genuine, like I want for the characters with accents. Again, even though she's a slightly older than I had pictured Anna, it could be done.
Bob Page: Kevin Spacey (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Spacey,+Kevin)
Kevin Spacey is so so very perfect for this role. If you have not seen Swimming with Sharks, do yourself a favor and go buy it right now. That role convinces me that he will do perfectly. Mixed with what he did in A Time To Kill and maybe even a bit of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Bob Page would be portrayed perfectly.
Alex Jacobson: Seth Green (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Green,+Seth)
Alex Jacobson is one of my favorite characters in the game. When I saw Enemy of the State again recently, Seth's character completley reminded me of Alex. Just a total elite hacker, young, pasty, red hair, even his voice sounds similar. This role cannot be done by anyone else.
Joseph Manderley: James Cromwell (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Cromwell,+James)
If you've seen The Usual Suspects you'll know what I'm talking about. An older gentleman with dignity and leadership, knowing, but yet, not knowing what manipulates him. I will say no more about this character, so as not to spoil anything for anyone who decides to play Deus Ex in the future.
Tracer Tong: James Hong (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Hong,+James)
Simply because this man looks how I pictured Tracer Tong to look. He's older, Chinese, dignified, and was pretty cool in The Art of War. I'm not too familiar with his work, I've only seen The Art of War and Red Corner. However with the right touch on directing, and Hong's long experience of acting, I'm confident that he could pull off the role rather well.
Morgan Everett: Morgan Freeman (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Freeman,+Morgan)
Older, again, dignified, and very intelligent. The leader of the Illuminati needs to portray all of these things and more. Nearly every character Freeman plays shows these traits perfectly. I can just see him trying to convince JC over the infolink to do his bidding and join the Illuminati and lead the world into the daylight.
Sam Carter: Tom Berenger (
http://us.imdb.com/Name?Berenger,+Tom)
There is no one better for this role! Older man, who has experienced it all. Seen combat way too many times, has chosen his side, and is one of UNATCO's only other pure members. Tom Berenger could pull this off so perfectly. Even if Sam Carter appears in one or two scenes, they would be perfect if Berenger played this character.
-asshat
