Thanks to AICN.com for posting this information. Apparently Forest Whitaker has been replaced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Apparently some people are upset about this but I'm thinking if 50 is going to make his stamp anywhere in the movie world it would be in action flicks, plus Whitaker isn't really in fighting shape. Did anyone take him seriously as a Samurai in Ghost Dog. We also get some character names and clarifications, check the below letter from Sly to Harry of AICN for more.
Dear Harry,
Below is a letter that I sent to the Stallone Zone that I had also wanted to
send to you because I have the same loyalty to your site as well. Anyway, it
might temper preconceived opinions.
Thank you and best,
Sly
P.S. Also, for clarification:
Hale Caesar is Curtis Jackson
Toll Road (new character) is Randy Couture
Monroe is Eric Roberts
Tool (an ex-Expendable) is Mickey Rourke
Bao is Jet Li
Lee Christmas is Jason Statham
Lacy is Charisma Carpenter
Sandra is Giselle Itie (famous Brazilian actress)
And
Barney 'the schizo' Ross is Yours Truly.
P.S.S. By the way, there's enough testosterone and ego in this film to float
a large continent covered in elephants, but I'm enjoying it.
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Dear Craig,
I appreciate the incredible amount of work you've done on my behalf. Please
tell the loyal followers to be positive not negative in their feedback. I am
not self-destructive. The anger of the casting of 50 Cent is understandable,
but not fair. A player is only as good as his coach. If a man can
communicate in one medium, he can communicate in another if his strengths
are brought out and he has the support of well-wishers. So, trust me, the
change of Forest Whitaker to 50 Cent AKA Curtis Jackson is a good one. No
one thought Dolph Lundgren was a good choice for ROCKY or Mr. T. Carl
Weathers was an afterthought when Ken Naughton fell out. The same with Talia
Shire and Richard Crenna, who was known as a comedic actor, not a serious
one.
Nobody wanted Eric Roberts over Ben Kingsley, but I believe it's a vastly
improved casting. The point is, you either believe in me and the project,
setting your personal feelings aside, or you take a darker approach, which
really serves no purpose since your insight and suggestions and overall
enthusiasm are a great thrill for me to behold everyday I sign on.
Signing off -
Your friend,
Sly
I really love Sly's connecting with sites like aint it cool and not because he's promoting his brand but because he actually seems genuine in the fact that he wants to connect with his fans. He also seems to be truly passionate about the things he does. I suppose it was because of his roles...Rocky, John Rambo, etc. but up until a few years ago I always took Sly for a meathead type. Really he seems quite the opposite, I mean the dude did win an Oscar for Rocky which he wrote. Also of note is the hillarious note that this movie has enough testostorone to float an island of elephants, haha.
UPDATE: Just got word that a release date of April 23rd, 2010 has been announced. So a little more than a year to go!
