Our amigos over at FILM JUNK brought the following news to our attention. It appears that Bret Ratner has indeed been tapped to direct Conan. We get the following word from AICN’s Moriarty:
When I met Howard McCain after the screening of OUTLANDER, he told me he’d just been hired with his writing partner to write CONAN for Lionsgate, and in talking with him, I could tell the material was in the right hands. He genuinely adores the Robert Howard stories, and it seemed like he had some big plans for how to structure the film.
And now it appears to be official that Brett Ratner is directing the goddamn thing.
I’ m not very excited at his news. I don’t hate Ratner, but certainly don’t think anything he’s done has been awesome. When it comes to Conan I don’t want someone who is going to do an “ok” job, I want an artist of the highest order. Perhaps Ratner will do his best work with Conan and make me eat my words. I certainly hope so, I will wear a silken bib.
What pleases me most is that Howard McCain is a disciple of Robert E. Howard. The quality of the story and the mettle of Conan will depend on how well the team pours over the works of Howard and gleans from them an epic tale fit for the silver screen. I want Howard on Howard to be a winning formula.
Crom, bless McCain in his translation and Ratner in his directorial responsibilities; and if not, to hell with you!
