Casting Couch: Six Potential Vlad The Impalers
We know that Brad Pitt and Summit Entertainment are producing a script by Charlie Hunnam called Vlad, based on the life of Vlad III, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula. We know that it will be heavy metal compared to Summit’s poppy vampire hit Twilight. But what we don’t know is who will be playing Vlad. The O.G. neck-biter only lived to be about 45, so that narrows down the field right there. Considering the script’s style and the titlular character’s age/look, here are six great choices to play Vlad.
Adrien Brody
I’m just waiting for this guy to get a chance to play a baddie, instead of the typical downtrodden, reluctant hero role he’s been typecast as. He’d really sink his teeth into this role — literally. He would have to be near the top of any casting director’s list for this role.
Colin Farrell
Who better to play one of the original bad boys than the reigning bad boy champ of Hollywood? Sure, he’s flopped in franchises like Daredevil and the underrated Miami Vice, but anyone who has seen In Bruges or Tigerland knows that this is one Irishman who can act his arse of.
Edward Norton
Norton can do just about anything — he’s like a young Gary Oldman. He also has underrated box office appeal (I blame Robin Williams for Death to Smoochy). This isn’t a stretch at all — Ed would kill as the prince of the undead.
Joaquin Phoenix
Screw his recent life crisis — this guy plays one badass heel. Remember Gladiator? Remember that bloodthirst he displayed when he stuck his tongue out during the gladiator games? If he still has it — and our guess is that he does — he would be a great pick to pull off the man behind the Dracula legend.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
The star of Match Point and The Tudors deserves better than playing wingman to a washed-up Travolta. He’s shown the ability to still be likable even while playing a unlikeable character, something the Vlad character would need. He also is somewhat unknown as an actor, so he would give the vampire flick that “new” aura.
Johnny Depp
Here’s another standout actor who hardly ever gets to play a true villain. After all, even John Dillinger and Sweeney Todd are much closer to being anti-heroes. Depp always shines in period pieces, and this one could nab him a nomination if done right. I’m seeing a critical reaction similar to what Denzel received for Training Day. He’s almost too old, but Depp looks young for his age and is young in spirit.
