The 2005 film adaptation of Frank Miller’s Sin City seems very odd in retrospect – a star-studded, ultraviolent, mostly black-and-white crime film that hewed so close to its source material that the comics were often cited as its storyboards. Director Robert Rodriguez’s efforts to make a sequel have only recently gotten off the ground – as of this month, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For has officially begun production.
For all the excitement this might engender, the announcement of the Sin City sequel’s filming was tinged with melancholy. Previously set to reprise his role as sociopathic Mob enforcer Manute, actor Michael Clarke Duncan died in September. After a pitched search, the movie’s production has announced Duncan’s replacement: veteran actor Dennis Haysbert (Wreck-It Ralph).
In a casting report published by The Hollywood Reporter, it was announced that Dennis Haysbert will step into the distinctive cap and uniform of Manute in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. Known largely for portraying commanding authority figures such as President David Palmer in 24 and Jonas Blane in The Unit, this is one of most notable instances of Haysbert taking on an outright villainous role.
If Sin City: A Dame to Kill For remains as slavishly faithful to its source material as the original film, it should be noted that the Manute played by Haysbert will be different for reasons other than just a simple actor switch. For one, the hulking gangster will not sport the distinctive golden eye that stood out against the first film’s stark black-and-white palette. The graphic novel A Dame to Kill For takes place before the previous film’s adaptation of The Big Fat Kill, wherein Manute ended up on the wrong end of a considerable number of firearms. Though still a hardcase with a penchant for creative violence, the Manute of A Dame to Kill For is younger, less connected, and has yet to meet with the incident that leads to the adoption of his unnerving false eyeball.
At first glance, Dennis Haysbert may seem like an unusual choice to fill the role so completely embodied by Michael Clarke Duncan. After all, he doesn’t have the reputation for overpowering physicality that Duncan brought to most of his roles (especially in the case of Manute).
In all actuality, Haysbert is less than an inch shorter than Duncan (he’s 6’4″, compared to Duncan’s 6’5″). Not only does he have the height to make Manute a towering figure, Haysbert definitely has the dramatic chops to match Duncan’s previous portrayal of quiet menace. Though he’s popularly known as David Palmer and the voice of Allstate Insurance, Haysbert can achieve some serious dramatic intensity when push comes to shove. The real question is whether he can use a career’s worth of experience to match the performance already made memorable by another noted actor.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For will break down the doors of theaters on October 4th, 2013.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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How in the world can this guy be cast in such a violent film. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for fictional violence, but this is the Allstate guy, wouldn’t this somehow be a breach of his contract with them? Not saying he is forbidden to do additional work, but his role for Allstate is to be the wholesome trustworthy voice of Allstate, and now it’s not just his voice he appears in commercials frequently. If I were a big in Allstate’s corporate office I would be just a little concerned about my spokesman killing people, even if they are fictional.
Still though, finally Sin City 2.
He plays bad asses in alot of his roles. I don’t think he is gonna tarnish his good guy, trustworthy image on one movie. And not to mention he has voiced a character that MCD has also voiced.
You should check out the TV show called The Unit. It had 4 seasons on CBS. It was my favorite TV show. Dennis Haysbert played the main character who was part of the US Army’s Special Forces (Delta Force to be exact). There wasn’t an episode where he didn’t kill someone, or tens of people.
It’s my sincere belief that David Palmer single handedly made the American public believe in a black president, before there was even one. Obama should owe his election to David Palmer, because you gotta think there were people out there voting him in thinking he is going to end up like “that guy” on 24.
In all seriousness, it would be great to see him in a completely different role.
Amazing news! Manute plays a big role in “A Dame to Kill For” Now who’s playing the pre-surgery Dwight? Clive Owen could still be Dwight if they put him in prosthetic make-up.
Like I said he’s my choice for the role of darkseid.so what he’s a spokesperson for Allstate, he’s a talented actor.
A truly fantastic actor. His roles in Heat, The Thirteenth Floor, Navy SEALs and, in a way, Major League play-up his size, whereas his television work has highlighted his authority. Looking forward to seeing him take on a new character.
VINGH RHAMES would have been preferable
Hmm, this could work. What I wanna know is, who are they gonna bring in for Brittany Murphy’s character?
“Is very bad to steal Jobu’s rum. Is very bad.”
So they’re recasting
Michael Clarke Duncan,
Brittany Murphy,
Devon Aoki.
No thanks. I’m not a fan of recasting at the best of times. Can’t see me enjoying this at all, think I’ll sit it out. Shame, as Sin City was a masterpiece.
Recasting isn’t always bad. While I think he did a great job, Brian Cox is not the guy most associated with Hannibal Lecter after all.
Was “Manhunter” a bona fide huge hit like Sin City though? I didn’t think it was…
No, but I don’t remember anything being said about it having to be a huge hit, just enjoyable. And everyone being recast was a secondary character in the original Sin City.
And if you want hits, how about Maggie Gyllenhal replacing Katie Holmes in the latest Batman trilogy? She was so much better as Rachel Dawes and The Dark Knight was a huge hit.