RUMOR: Xavier Samuel In The Running For Daredevil?

There hasn't been much updates concerning 20th Century Fox's Daredevil reboot. We know that David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days Of Night) is currently attached to direct with Kyle Killen (The Beaver) writing the script. Also that the film would be based on Frank Miller's Born Again storyline.

There is some speculation that Twilight alum Xavier Samuel could be a candidate for Matt Murdock. Slade recently tweeted an image of the Australian actor donning shades when defending not using 3D. Previously there had been rumors of Bradley Cooper, Robert Pattinson and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy). While I think Hedlund is a solid choice an up and comer could be what the reboot needs.

Duncan Jones Could Direct The Wolverine

Deadline has a new report that Universal has offered the Huntsman role to Hugh Jackman in Snow White & The Huntsman. The only catch would be that he'd have to choose to do this over The Wolverine. I wouldn't be shocked this being a tactic by Jackman to light a fire under the seat of 20th Century Fox who have yet to pick a director to replace Darren Aronofsky. The article mentions that the studio is currently looking at Duncan Jones (Source Code) and David Slade (30 Days of Night.

Slade seems like a reasonable choice as he was in the initial group of directing candidates but has since been attached to Daredevil. I'm curious to see if he drops Daredevil to focus on The Wolverine which would take up a considerable amount of his time with the projected November 2012 release date. While David has been tagged for directing a Twilight film he's made some awesome films such as Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. I didn't care for the look of the vampires in 30 Days of Night but it seemed like a faithful film to the comics which should ease reservations of X-Men fans.

Duncan Jones on the other hand might be as creditable as Aronofsky. Jackman previous stated they would be looking at directors similar to Aronofsky. Jones seems like the most applicable to Darren with auteur sensibilities while being able to work on a grand scale with a limited budget. His first film Moon was a stellar homage to work of Ridley Scott but being it's on monster and a great addition to the science fiction genre. Duncan isn't new to being offered big studio genre projects. He previous was in talks for the Superman and Judge Dredd reboots. Along with being a fan favorite to take over directing duties from Jon Favreau on Iron Man 3. Jones has been trying hard to get his speechless thriller Mute made and I'm sure there could be a possibility Fox would fund the film if he directs The Wolverine. I'd personally take Jones over Slade only because I've felt his films have a stronger emotional connection which would be needed for the dramatic script written by Christopher McQuarrie (Jack The Giant Killer, Usual Suspects)

Bradley Cooper Rumored Frontrunner For Daredevil, Garrett Hedlund Also Interested

This sounds more promising than the previous rumor that Robert Pattinson would take up the red jumpsuit in the Daredevil reboot. Two seperate new rumors suggest that Bradley Cooper (Hangover, Limitless) is the frontrunner and Garrett Hedlund (Troy, Tron Legacy) is also in the mix for the lead.

Garrett had been in the running for Captain America but dropped out early to commit to Tron Legacy and it's sequel. As the Captain America role we be a commitment to six films not leaving much room for Tron 3. Cooper also tested for a superhero role when he was almost locked in as Green Lantern until Ryan Reynolds swooped in and took the role. Bradley is becoming a bigger name but has yet to jump in role of an action lead. Besides his supporting role in the underwhelming A-Team which was a 20th Century Fox film. He's been linked for The Flash but seems like he had a bad experience testing for Green Lantern and won't be doing any DC films anytime soon. A Marvel film might suit Bradley better as I thought he'd make an excellent Hawkeye before Jeremy Renner landed the role. I'd be happy with either of them yet it's still in early stages of development so these won't be the only names attached to the reboot.

Daredevil Reboot Rumor Round-Up

With the announcement of 20th Century Fox hiring David Slade to direct and David Callaham (Expendables) using Frank Miller's Born Again storyline I figured I'd run down some current and previous rumors about the Daredevil reboot.

EW reports that the lead actors from the first film will not be returning that includes Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell. I would expect everyone from the first film will be scrapped and recast. While the film has been mentioned as sequel this one more reason to believe this will be more of a reboot.

Michael Clark Duncan had been vocal of reprising the role of Kingpin who is likely to be in the new film. I'm not sure how Duncan would fit into the reboot if they're recasting the leads it's possible they'd hire a new Kingpin too. While he physically met the requirements for Kingpin he didn't seem menacing enough for the role. It might be just me but Duncan seems more of a sweetheart than a villain.



Jason Statham stated to the LATimes he wanted the role of the Daredevil saying ""Forget Bullseye, I want to be Daredevil!...Absolutely, just give me the chance, I would love to be Daredevil"and Frank Miller gave his blessing "I think he should be Daredevil too!".

Statham should get the role as he's a stable for action films and wouldn't overshadow the character as most big name actors would. He's got a solid international appeal from his Transporter franchise and enough geek crediblity with films like Crank 1-2, Snatch, Lock Stock and Expendables. David Callaham who is working on the reboot's script also wrote Expendables which starred Statham. 

A ridiculous rumor surfaced yesterday that linked Robert Patterson to the role. First he's way too young and is also just going to anger loyal fans. I'm sure there is link since David Slade directed a Twilight film but I'd expect that Fox would understand that Daredevil fans wouldn't be happy with this choice. I'm all for a different take but they need someone more established and well liked for the role.


Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) had been linked to the role of Typhoid Mary a love interest and villain of Daredevil. I think it would be excellent to see a faithful version of Mary but she wasn't in Born Again unless they work her into the story somehow. Sackhoff is interesting enough and would be a more convincing female action heroine than Jennifer Garner ever was.





The villains that did appear in Born Again were The Kingpin and Nuke. Yet Nuke was involved in the super soldier program so he might be excluded. Director Mark Steven Johnson had mentioned The Owl and Mr. Fear as possible villains for a sequel but it's unlikely they'll be used in this film as he was replaced.

Fox Using Frank Miller's Born Again For Daredevil Reboot

HeatVision has updated their previous story that David Slade has been brought on to direct/adapt the Daredevil reboot. 20th Century Fox will be using the Frank Miller written Born Again saga for the film. Similar to the use of Miller's Wolverine Japanese saga which is being used for Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine. It's a great starting point as Miller was one of the best Daredevil writers and his source material could help bring a successful reboot and potential franchise.

The original film was a total mess from the terrible acting, directing, costumes and script it never had a chance. Hopefully Fox has learned their lessons and are willing to put more time/creativity into these reboots. Hiring Slade and using source material from Frank Miller are two reasons this new film could work. Born Again featured the Kingpin discovering Daredevil's identity and slowly destroying his life.

David Slade To Direct Daredevil Reboot

HeatVision reports that 20th Century Fox has hired David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) to direct and develop the Daredevil reboot. Slade had been in talks with Fox to helm both Wolverine 2 and X-Men First Class so it was expected he would eventually land a project with the studio. It's likely that since the reboot is still in development stages The Last Voyage of The Demeter will be Slade's next film.

Recently both Matt Damon and Guy Pearce revealed they had turned down the role lead role in the original Daredevil film which starred Ben Affleck. Jason Statham has the blessing of Daredevil writer Frank Miller for the reboot and I'm sure Statham will be in talks soon. I'd like to see the studio to take this film in more of a Punisher/Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance path. Since Daredevil is a costumed vigilante who takes on the mob it would make sense to feature more gritty violence than the last film. I just hope that the studio goes back to the Frank Miller material for inspiration. As Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine also is taking cues from Miller's storylines.

David Slade To Direct The Last Voyage of The Demeter

HeatVision reports David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) will direct yet another vampire film. This time one based on actually lore and inspired directly from Bram Stoker's original Dracula novel. The Last Voyage of The Demeter tells the story of Dracula's voyage to London and the evil that is unleashed upon the crew/passengers during it. Ben Kingsley and Noomi Rapace were previously attached for the project but it's very likely they could leave to focus on other commitments.