Wow, busy day for Joe Carnahan. Or should I say it's been a busy month? Not only is The Grey the #1 movie in the world right now, but he's been all over the place talking about Nemesis, his adaptation of the batsh*t crazy Mark Millar comic book. Over the last couple weeks we learned his hopes to have his favorite guy, Liam Neeson, tackle one of the two lead roles, and now another name has popped up that would put the film immediately into "must-see' territory.
Consider this a rumor for now, but Cosmic Book News(who have a spotty track record at best) have learned that Michael Fassbender has entered very early talks to play Nemesis in the film, and that the studios are indeed considering Neeson for the other role. They also note that Fassbender's schedule, which they say includes X-men: First Class 2, and Liam Neeson's knee problems will push a start date back into 2013.
Mark Millar may get the most love for being the guy behind Wanted and Kick-Ass, but I think he reached all new levels of greatness with Nemesis. The story is a twisted take on the Batman idea, where the strongest, wealthiest, most capable man on the planet isn't a hero but instead a deranged villain. We're talking Joker level villain. Fassbender would play Nemesis, who delights in causing grief for police inspectors around the world. After murdering the chief and an entire SWAT team in Asia, he turns his attentions towards Washington, DC and police chief Blake Morrow. Neeson would play Morrow, who shares a past connection with Nemesis that becomes revealed along the way.
This is sketchy news to me for a couple of reasons, but mainly because it implies that the X-men: First Class sequel will shoot some time this year. That seems a little fast to me, especially with Fassbender busy on Twelve Years A Slave at some point.
So take this with a healthy dose of salt for now, but also think how cool it'd be to see those two squaring off?
