Word on the street is that the next vampire project will be a reboot of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. In 1994, Rice's Interview With the Vampire was adapted for the big screen with Tom Cruise in the role of the vampire Lestat de Lioncort, "a nobleman-turned-vampire in the late 18th century." Later, in 2002, Stuart Townsend played Lestat in the movie Queen of the Damned. Now, apparently Universal wants to start up a new franchise based on the Chronicles — but this time with Robert Downey Jr. as Lestat.
According to Wikipedia (so, you know, grains of salt required), Rice did not initially like the idea of Tom Cruise in the role of Lestat. She reportedly said that Cruise was "'no more my Vampire Lestat than Edward G. Robinson is Rhett Butler' and the casting was 'so bizarre, it's almost impossible to imagine how it's going to work.' Nevertheless, she was satisfied with Cruise's performance after seeing the completed film, saying that 'from the moment he appeared, Tom was Lestat for me' and 'That Tom did make Lestat work was something I could not see in a crystal ball.'" If the RDJ thing ends up being true, I wonder what Rice will think of this casting choice. Personally, I think it's inspired. I'd love to see him in this role!
Cath Kidston
I don't know. I don't see RDJ as Lestat. Yes he's a great actor but I don't think he's right for this part.
1yeah I'm with ana isabel. I don't think he does as well with roles that aren't comedic.
2ooooh i think it sounds possibly good! I want to check out the books now too!
3I don't like the idea of RDJ plaing Lestat...neither did I like Tom Cruise...on the other side, I don't see anyone playing Lestat, the image I have of him in my head could never translate into a real actor.
4it'll be interesting to see how this one turns out - even though the other movie was SUCH a long time ago. i'm just always going to associate brad pitt and tom cruise in the movie- but i love RDJ so we'll see. i'm just not sure if the vampire thing is really over and done with you know?
5sounds great to me!
6Not so sure. Great actor but I question how he would translate the role.
7I think RDJ is a great actor but Lestat is suppose to be young and RDJ is definitely not.
8I agree with annalisa, I don't think there is anyone out there that could actually be Lestat, especially if they are making a franchise considering all the things Lestat goes through and how they effect him in the chronicles. RDJ seems a bit old to play Lestat, if memory serves Lestat was quite young when turned.
9The point is this: Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor who exudes personality and charm. He'd be a marvelous Lestat. I couldn't be happier with all this talk. As soon as I confirm it, assuming I do, I'll post on my website. Meanwhile, it's more than fun to dream that RDJ will play Lestat. Of course he can play a man of Lestat's age. He has a wonderful face and body for the role.
10I just love RDJ, so the more of him, the better.
11I really like RDJ but I cannot cannot cannot picture him as a vampire.
12Ha, I was just about to post that Anne Rice liked the idea according to her Facebook page.
I love Lestat and I think Lestat does have a sense of humor that could be portrayed by RDJ. I would love to see Memnoch the Devil made.
13I'm skeptical of this casting call, but I'm surprised that there will be more Lestat movies at all after that disaster that was Queen of the Damned.
14When I read the books years and years ago, I always thought that Willem Dafoe would make a great Lestat.
15Oh honey No. Why would they even consider this?
16bchicgrl...my thoughts exactly
17I do agree that RDJ is a really good actor and quite, quite delicious. But I think he’s to old, given that Lestat is supposed to look like he did when he died at 24 (if I remember correctly). I tried to come up with someone who would be better, but I’m drawing a blank. I would love to se someone new and fresh in the role.
18IMO you cannot touch Tom Cruises Lestat.
19Tom as Lestat makes Interview with the Vampire my favorite of his films, and that's out of a lot of good films.
20He was spellbinding in the role?
That said, do we have to have another movie with Lestat? Arent' there other fascinating Vampires in Rice's catalogue that are ready for their close up?
I personally--whatever the project--really want to see Keira Knightley play a vampire. She'd be so wickedly divine as a sinister bloodsucker! Especially if her styling is within an inch of how gorgeous it was in The Duchess.
Maybe Kiera could play Pandora?
21tom will always be lestat to me. and brad, louis. i wish they would have made more vampire movies back then using those actors. i really love rdj though. but i see rdj as armand for some reason. would love to see the witch books made to movies. those were so good!
22Lestat is blonde haired, blue eyed, and young. I love Robert don't get me wrong. But its just not a part I could see him playing.
23I can't believe that no one has figured this out yet... I totally think that Robert Downey Junior is terrible as Lestat... But think about it... it says Vampire Chronicles... that means only one of the first five books... the first three are out of the question, then you have TOTBT and MTD left... MTD would be too much of a pain ... so you are left with TOTBT... so RDJ would be playing Lestat - but not Lestat - he would be playing the body that Lestat swaps with... think about it.. RDJ would be perfect for the role of The Body Thief/Lestat... he looks just like him.
24These are just internet rumours. I never believe anything until it's confirmed by a spokesperson.
25Robert would be a wonderful Lestat! he's very carismatic and his diabolic eyes and perfect smile are ok for a vampire. he have a wonderful face and very good body and is not a problem with make up to seem young! he's a fantastic actor...and blonde with blu eyes we have just seen in Tropic Thunger and he's ok and beautiful also blonde! But I hope the film is good as the vampire interview...not simply!
26he's fantastic actor and beautiful sexy carismatic. perfect body end very beautiful eyes, smile and hair. He coul be a great Lestat. Hope in good film.
27I think he could pull it off.
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