I’ll admit that I’ve only quietly watched for information on Paul W.S. Anderson’s forthcoming Three Musketeers because I’m interested in anything done with Dumas’ famous characters. If it had been up to the director to catch my attention, I would have been about as interested in it as I was the latest Asylum release.
Now, Paul W.S. Anderson has amassed a cast for his movie and there’s an equal measure of approving head nods and raised eyebrows here.
Since I like to end on a high note like an old French whore from a Mel Brooks movie, let’s start with the bad first:
The Downs
- Ray Stevenson as Porthos: Say what you will, but I’m not a Ray Stevenson fan. His inclusion here is one of brawn over acting ability, and even within the hierarchy of the Musketeers he was miscast. Porthos is jubilant, loves life, is ostentatious and sweet. These are all words that no one would use to describe Ray Stevenson or the characters he’s played.
- Luke Evans as Athos: Evans has only been seen widely once, and he didn’t necessarily shine as Apollo in Clash. That aside, Athos is the leader of the group – he’s an alcoholic, haunted, stoic, but he takes care of his men as a wise voice in their lives. This is great, considering he’s the youngest of the three actors and looks it.
- Milla Jovovich as Milady de Winter: Anderson cast his wife in the only major female role. It’s not surprising given their track record, but it’s awful casting. I don’t except her to be spin-kicking guards or offering Cardinal Richelieu her Moolti-Pass, but nepotism has never look so obvious.
That wasn’t so bad was it?
The Ups
- Matthew McFadyen as Aramis: McFadyen actually stood out to me back during Pride and Prejudice Without Zombies when he played Mr. Darcy. The guy has some steady talent, I’m looking forward to seeing him as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, and he seems capable of bringing the thoughtful, religious, philandering womanizer to life.
- Mads Mikkelsen as Rochefort: I’ll watch almost anything where Mikkelsen is the villain, and here is a bit of perfect casting I think. Part of me wishes he was the main bad guy, but another thinks he might stand out here as the Man from Meung.
- Christoph Waltz as Cardinal Richelieu: For some reason, I imagine Cardinal Richelieu is going to end up with a Fleur de Lis carved into his forehead.
There’s also talk of Logan Lerman joining the cast as d’Artagnan. Everyone realizes that this has an effect on whether or not he’ll play Spider-Man, but as far as acting goes, he seems fine. Maybe a little young for the role, but most of the rest of the casting doesn’t make sense either.
According to Heat Vision, Anderson has said that he wants to shoot in 3D, keep “a contemporary feel,” and maintain the historical setting.
This, and everything else he’s done, makes me think he has no idea what he is talking about.
Do you?