‘Jonah Hex’ Gets New Director

It seemed that the comic book adaptation Jonah Hex was in trouble when Crank director’s Mark Nevaldine and Brian Taylor dropped from directing the project because of “creative differences” (although their script will still be used). However it now seems that the project is back on track as another director has been brought on board – he is Horton Hears a Who! director Jimmy Hayward, making his live-action directorial debut.

I know, I know… what the hell, eh?

For those of you fretting don’t worry – No Country for Old Men star Josh Brolin is still on-board to star, so at least we still have that to cling to. But why did Warner Bros. decide to give the directing gig to the guy who did Horton Hears a Who!?

I can’t comment on the quality of that film, not having seen it, but I can’t see the logic in giving the directing responsibility of this sort of project to someone who’s entire history is in kid-friendly animation (he’s worked as an animator on many Pixar films). I’m just hoping Hayman does a good job and doesn’t mess up what is potentially a really great comic-to-film adaptation.

Just as a reminder about who Jonah Hex is:

The character of Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood.

No official word has been let out about the exact plot of the film itself, but courtesy of ComingSoon.net we have a hint at the path it’s going to take:

One incarnation of his comic book series saw the Western genre combined with supernatural elements, and it’s this aspect that was featured in Neveldine and Taylor’s script.

Now even in spite of the peculiar and worrying news that WB has given the director’s spot to a guy who’s never had experience with a live-action, non-kid-targeted movie before, I’m still excited as hell for this film. Although I’ve never actually read any of the DC Comics that it’s based on I have been looking up information and images from it and I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed by it.

The character has such potential for a great feature film, perhaps even for a franchise, and since it’s a bit darker than your average comic book adaptation it offers something pretty unique. And Brolin seems perfect for the role both in look and with his charisma; he’s a much sought after actor after his brilliant performance in No Country for Old Men and Jonah Hex will probably produce him his iconic character that will be remembered.

So are you still excited for this flick in spite of the news of this director coming on-board?

Jonah Hex is hoped to start production in March or April this year.

Source: ComingSoon.net