Alexander Skarsgard Hesitant To Star In TARZAN; Shares His Thoughts On Franchise Films

Despite being the frontrunner for the title role, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard confirms that he hasn't committed to starring in Warner Bros.' Tarzan movie despite a "really, really good" script. He also shares his thoughts on big budget franchise movies.

By PaulRom - Apr 04, 2013 09:04 AM EST

Filed Under: Action

Speaking with Crave Online while promoting his new film Disconnect, Alexander Skarsgard says that he isn't attached to star in Warner Bros.' live action take on Tarzan, despite being the frontrunner to play the legendary King of the Apes. He praises the script, but he's hesitant about taking on such a big blockbuster which isn't easy to produce. "No, I mean we’ll see what happens. I’m not quite sure yet. It’s a very, very good script. It’s a really, really good script, but it’s also a very big movie so it’s not super easy to just get a project like that off the ground." The True Blood and Battleship star also has nothing but good things to say about David Yates, who will direct the adaptation. "He’s arguably one of the greatest directors out there. He’s a phenomenal, very intelligent guy, an amazing director."

Skarsgard (who was also in the running to play Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) then shares his thoughts on big budget films, aying that he hasn't been seriously courting a franchise. "No, not at all. It’s all about finding scripts and directors that I’m creatively excited about, be it a small European arthouse film like Melancholia or a cool little gritty indie like Disconnect or a huge movie. Whatever it is, it’s always about the script, the character and the director. Am I excited about working with this director and exploring this character. So I don’t really care about other things." WB's Tarzan was also targeting Samuel L. Jackson (Marvel's The Avengers for the role of George Washington Williams, with Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) being the top choice to play Jane Porter. Do you want to see Alexander Skarsgard as Tarzan? Below is a plot summary for the film.

John Clayton III [is] known around the world as the famous "ape man" Tarzan. Years after he's re-assimilated into society, he's asked by Queen Victoria to investigate the goings-on in the Congo. Tarzan teams with an ex-mercenary named George Washington Williams to save the Congo from a fierce warlord who controls a massive diamond mine.

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31 Comments

BigMikeReviews - 4/4/2013, 10:08 AM

Get your head out of your ass, accept the paycheck and become a celebrity. Fizzle out after 5 years of over exposure and go back to what you're doing now. Thus is the cycle of the Hollywood machine

JeffreyVeregge - 4/4/2013, 10:12 AM

sounds like it could be a great film.

gillri - 4/4/2013, 10:31 AM

Henry Cavill

PsyGuy - 4/4/2013, 10:31 AM

He could star in anything and it would be okay.

Tony93 - 4/4/2013, 10:42 AM

Yes he would, great actors involved.. has the potential to be a great film

McMeatFace - 4/4/2013, 11:05 AM

That True Blood train is about to come to a stop so he better start thinking of his next gig.

BoneStorm - 4/4/2013, 11:10 AM

"Whatever it is, it's always about the script". *ahem* Battleship.

Coolwhip - 4/4/2013, 11:14 AM

@BoneStorm Exactly! I was just about to say the same thing.

triquetra - 4/4/2013, 11:18 AM

this guy should be the next flash

jerryblake - 4/4/2013, 11:23 AM

he is hesitant to make those kind of movies, i understand.
Bunch of actors and actress went that way and never came back to make a good movie again. He is basically doing Mcconaughey thing right now, adding some good, if not great indie movies to his portfolio. Disconnect or The East.

I guess True Blood was the lesson for him (kind of)

But what if the Tarzan script is really, really good, like he was saying ?
Well the, go for it Alex

gambgel - 4/4/2013, 11:30 AM

Alexander is a fine actor... but doesnt have the right look and body to play a character like Tarzan

CarlXVIGarfield - 4/4/2013, 11:37 AM

Battleship?

jerryblake - 4/4/2013, 11:38 AM

i wanted to play the Punisher in the reboot.
Bust myself in to a Kevin Feige office with full costume on.
Now i got like 6 months of community service and restraining order to deal with. Tough life.

jerryblake - 4/4/2013, 11:42 AM

ps. check this out. Pretty cool trailers for Alex upcoming movies.

AlexDeLarge87 - 4/4/2013, 12:38 PM

I like his acting but honestly cant see him as Tarzan.

I would go with someone like Hugh Jackman or Karl Urban. If they want more experienced Tarzan. Specially Urban would be great.

AlexDeLarge87 - 4/4/2013, 12:39 PM

Urban had the Tarzan look in Pathfinder. Saw alot the comic version of Tarzan in him and Christopher Lambert.

AlexDeLarge87 - 4/4/2013, 12:42 PM

NPaMusic@ This one is suppose to be live action.

Swiftsword777 - 4/4/2013, 2:38 PM

I have a major man crush on this gent.however I don't know if he is right for this role but I would like to see him in a big film

PeterBenjaminParker - 4/4/2013, 4:22 PM

I'd really like to see Henry Cavill as Tarzan, or even Jared Padalecki!

NeoBaggins - 4/4/2013, 5:10 PM

I'm not really in the market for a Tarzan movie, but I think if a potential lead voices his doubts, the company should scrape him off the list like burnt toast.

PeterBenjaminParker - 4/4/2013, 8:57 PM

@DudeGuyMan
HELL YES.

Although, I think if Tarzan does capoeira, then it would make up for it n_n

Alexander Skarsgard Hesitant To Star In TARZAN; Shares His Thoughts On Franchise Films

Despite being the frontrunner for the title role, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard confirms that he hasn't committed to starring in Warner Bros.' Tarzan movie despite a "really, really good" script. He also shares his thoughts on big budget franchise movies.

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