Jon Favreau’s got to be Sam Rockwell’s number one fan. Word went out recently that Rockwell was actually in consideration for a while to play Tony Stark in the first movie and, obviously, the director liked this actor enough to call him when it came time to cast Justin Hammer in movie #2. Now, it looks like the collaboration’s going to continue as Rockwell’s joining the cast of COWBOYS AND ALIENS. He’ll be playing a bar owner named Doc who joins the anti-extraterrestrial posse whose ranks already include Harrison “ Han Solo” Ford, Daniel “ James Bond” Craig and Olivia “The chick from HOUSE” Wilde. According to the LA TIMES, Favreau and the film’s writers wanted Rockwell so badly, they rewrote the part and expanded it throughout the script.
No fault can be found in these guys’ appreciation for Mr. Rockwell, by my reckoning. I’ve been a fan of his since his chilling turn as “Wild Bill” in the GREEN MILE and really enjoyed his performances in GALAXY QUEST and CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND. All the clips I’ve seen him as Justin Hammer look great and I’m sure he’s going to bring something extra to the movie. The funny thing is, Robert Downey Jr. was actually going to play the role that eventually went to Daniel Craig, so this could’ve been something of an IM2 reunion.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with COWBOYS AND ALIENS… it’s a Platinum Comics title about (you guessed it) cowboys teaming up with some Apaches to take on some evil aliens intent on enslaving humanity. It’s like E.T. at the O.K. Corral.
-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.
Log in to comment