SAMUEL L. JACKSON UP FOR THE OCTOPUS IN MILLER'S THE SPIRIT FILM

[MattBrady]

A villain who’s only known for his distinctive gloves is looking to get some big-name Hollywood power.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to play The Octopus in the Frank Miller written and directed adaptation of Will Eisner’s The Spirit.

From THR:

Jackson would play the Spirit's nemesis, the Octopus, a meek lab assistant who reinvents himself as a psychotic nightmare that kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face. The Octopus' tentacles reach into every aspect of crime in fictitious Central City, a city he plans to wipe out.

Miller said during an introduction of the project at the Festival de Cannes that Jackson is his first choice to play the evil genius who knows the secrets behind the Spirit. He added that he is beginning to mull different actors to play the comic book hero.

The film will be distributed by Lionsgate in the US, with production being handled by Batfilm’s Michael Uslan, and Odd Lot’s Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker.

[Electric Glove]

Interesting news, wonder if he'll remain out of sight. And as a side comment I really hope Miller's work isn't the promo poster. Doesn't suit the Spirit to me.

[MatthewSmith]

Just as long as we never see his face, I'm cool with that.

And yeah, that Miller drawing doesn't work for me either. They need to use a classic Eisner drawing or get Darwyn Cooke to work something up.

[cncoyle]

Originally Posted by MatthewSmith

And yeah, that Miller drawing doesn't work for me either. They need to use a classic Eisner drawing or get Darwyn Cooke to work something up.

What kind of material is his clothing supposed to be? Some kind of sideways seersucker?

[MatthewSmith]

Originally Posted by Nathan

What kind of material is his clothing supposed to be? Some kind of sideways seersucker?

I just had to google seersucker, but yeah, that's what it looks like.

[Erik K]

Samuel L. Jackson announced today that he is to be in every film yet to be made. "Where there's a camera, I'll be there, motherf***ers," said Jackson to an early morning gathering of reporters and comics fans. Whether it's reptiles on a vehicle, a comic book adaptation, a Victorian melodrama, or a high-school project shot on digicam, Jackson promises to bring his unique acting style to the film.

[Eel O'Brian]

His suit is obviously made out of sponge, and he's flexing all his muscles to squeeze the water out.

[batlash]

Agree all around. Nothing more than gloves should ever been seen of The Octopus (except when he's in disguise, of course). It's certainly not impossible, but it seems unlikely that an actor of Jackson's standing would play a role and remain unseen. It's similar to Toby McGuire having to come (at least partially) out of the Spider-Man mask during the climactic scenes of the Spider-Man movies. He's the lead actor. His face must be seen! Bollocks!

[Xysmurf]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm really tired of seeing Jackson in all these movies.

[Bullrunner]

Originally Posted by batlash

Agree all around. Nothing more than gloves should ever been seen of The Octopus (except when he's in disguise, of course). It's certainly not impossible, but it seems unlikely that an actor of Jackson's standing would play a role and remain unseen. It's similar to Toby McGuire having to come (at least partially) out of the Spider-Man mask during the climactic scenes of the Spider-Man movies. He's the lead actor. His face must be seen! Bollocks!

I agree. Since the Octopus is such a Master Of Disguise, I think it would be really nifty if they had a different actor to play the part every time he is seen. Sam Jackson, Pacino, DeNiro, Stallone, Frank Miller, Gilbert Gottfried,etc---and we wouldn't know it was the Octopus until we see the gloves each time.

[BubbaKanoosh]

1. I dont think the non-comic reading north american audience will like the idea of a character whose face we dont see.

2. with that being said, since everyone knows who samuel jackson is, having that done will be obsolute since we all know what he looks like. They shoulda gone with a no-name actor or better yet just kept it quiet until the release to surprize everyone.

[BubbaKanoosh]

Originally Posted by Bullrunner

I agree. Since the Octopus is such a Master Of Disguise, I think it would be really nifty if they had a different actor to play the part every time he is seen. Sam Jackson, Pacino, DeNiro, Stallone, Frank Miller, Gilbert Gottfried,etc---and we wouldn't know it was the Octopus until we see the gloves each time.

that could work too..

[industri]

Well - Val Kilmer kept pretty much out of sight as Elvis in True Romance, so it can be done. His voice might be enough to "sell him" as the part... but I agree, they'll likely spoil it by showing his face... sadly.

[stones throw]

I really hope Frank Miller doesn't go too faux/modern/grim noir a la Sin City for The Spirit. The Spirit is slightly daffy adventure not noir. Darwyn Cooke's got about the right idea in his new series.

[MadBandit]

Originally Posted by Xysmurf

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm really tired of seeing Jackson in all these movies.

That makes absolutely no sense. Sam's a fanboy, especially of Miller. So it'll cool for both cats to work together.

[Darquehex]

I've never understood why anyone liked The Spirit. I've tried to objectively read two of the reprint volumes and both fell flat for me. At least with Miller doing this it'll be ridiculous enough to be entertaining, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Please, people, Sam Jackson as The Octopus? That's something only a fanboy would do. That's an April Fool's Spoof article, but disgustingly real. The entire point of The Octopus is the subtle mystique with which he attempts to trip up Denny. Jackson, while entertaining to no end, is himself in almost every role he plays. I want to see "this" version of the character but really, this isn't Will Eisner's Spirit, it's Frank Miller's Spirit. And thank the Prime Cause for that!

[jgphenom]

Originally Posted by stones throw

I really hope Frank Miller doesn't go too faux/modern/grim noir a la Sin City for The Spirit. The Spirit is slightly daffy adventure not noir. Darwyn Cooke's got about the right idea in his new series.

Didn't know that Miller was writing it. That sucks. I hope we don't get the "goddamn" Spirit treatment.

[kalorama]

Originally Posted by Erik K

Samuel L. Jackson announced today that he is to be in every film yet to be made. "Where there's a camera, I'll be there, motherf***ers," said Jackson to an early morning gathering of reporters and comics fans. Whether it's reptiles on a vehicle, a comic book adaptation, a Victorian melodrama, or a high-school project shot on digicam, Jackson promises to bring his unique acting style to the film.

Post of the day.

[nightwingoracle]

Frank is hot in Hollywood right now, with Sin City, 300, the recent stuff on Ronin, etc.... so I'm sure that's how/why The Spirit is being made.

But I would rather see a Darwyn Cooke take on The Spirit than Frank Miller. I have serious doubts that it will be a true representation of The Spirit as long as Frank is involved.

[Yergie]

Originally Posted by Erik K

Samuel L. Jackson announced today that he is to be in every film yet to be made. "Where there's a camera, I'll be there, motherf***ers," said Jackson to an early morning gathering of reporters and comics fans. Whether it's reptiles on a vehicle, a comic book adaptation, a Victorian melodrama, or a high-school project shot on digicam, Jackson promises to bring his unique acting style to the film.

You sir, are an idiot.

Just sayin'.

[Erik K]

Originally Posted by Yergie

You sir, are an idiot.

Just sayin'.

Oh well, thanks for letting me know. That explains why I'm so dumb. I hadn't realized.

[JdRavnos]

Frank and the producers have been upfront that they see this as Eisner's Spirit, and want to remain true to the spirit of Will's work. While the poster does indeed seem to contradict that, I'm going to remain hesitantly optimistic until we hear something more substantial.

[Erik K]

Originally Posted by Darquehex

I've never understood why anyone liked The Spirit. I've tried to objectively read two of the reprint volumes and both fell flat for me.

I have to ask which volumes you read? If you read any below 13, you may have missed the truly great Spirit. The very early Eisner is more interesting as a historical thing to me, the Spirit is forming but has not really risen above other comics of the time. Then Eisner served in WWII and had a series of ghosts replace him, with varying results.

So somewhere around Vol. 14 is where you'd need to go for the really really good Spirit. If you did read these and still didn't like them, I guess they're just not for you. But if you didn't read this late 40s work, I urge you to give it a try. Go with the volume that has Gerhard Shnobble, the man who could fly (Volume 17, if memory serves.).

[Evil Twin]

Why splurge for an expensive Archive volume when there's a Best of the Spirit tpb out for around $15? That's the logical starting point for people casually interested.

[SmokinBones]

Originally Posted by nightwingoracle

Frank is hot in Hollywood right now, with Sin City, 300, the recent stuff on Ronin, etc.... so I'm sure that's how/why The Spirit is being made.

But I would rather see a Darwyn Cooke take on The Spirit than Frank Miller. I have serious doubts that it will be a true representation of The Spirit as long as Frank is involved.

Actually, Eisner was somewhat of a mentor/friend of Miller's. They're the Father and Son of the graphic novel. No one can deny that Frank's been slipping in comics for a while now. But all of his film adaptations have been spot-on. He's sort of re-invented himself in the movie industry, and I think he'll do his best to honor Eisner's memory.

That being said, I agree that this "movie poster" is hideous. I'm sure it won't be the final version, but it would be nice to have Darwyn on board at least for promotional stuff.