How is Jason "Conan" Momoa Coming Along?

How is Jason "Conan" Momoa Coming Along?

I came across a new interview where Momoa discusses his training regimen and inspiration for the role.

By Talontd - Mar 05, 2010 08:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Conan
Source: Desmoinesregister.com

While Momoa will never be as big as Ahh-nold, he is starting to resemble Robert E. Howard's images...now if only his arms could double in size!

Here are snipets from the interview with Desmoinesregister.com:


I’m in pain,” Jason Momoa groaned as he lay down for a 10-minute break.

That’s what six hours of sword and fight training can do to a guy.

Momoa, who grew up in Norwalk, Ia., was enrolled in early February in an intense six-week training program at a stunt and martial arts academy in Los Angeles for his title role in the upcoming movie “Conan.”

The character of Conan is a fictional Cimmerian warrior created in 1932 by Texan writer Robert E. Howard. This will be the third major movie about the 6-foot 2-inch, 210-pound Conan. The original “Conan the Barbarian” (1982) and the “Conan the Destroyer” sequel (1984) starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, now governor of California. Momoa was just a toddler when Schwarzenegger first strode on screen as the swarthy, blue-eyed barbarian.

“At the time, it was amazing … It’s got a little ’80s vibe to it,” Momoa said.

2011’s “Conan” has potential to be as big as the 1982 film, according to Edward Summer, associate producer of “Conan the Barbarian.”

“The original Conan stories are very strong stories.”

At 6 feet, 5 inches and 215 pounds, Momoa, of Hawaiian heritage on his father’s side, fits the physical features of Conan. (His green eyes can be made blue with contact lenses, Momoa noted.)

He expects to add 10 more pounds of muscle to his frame with help of David Leitch, a stunt performer seen in “The Bourne Ultimatum” and Chad Stahelski, the martial arts stunt coordinator for “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions.”

Conan retains a strong fantasy following as the subject of a Marvel comics series from 1970 to 1996, picked up by Dark Horse Comics in 2003 “Conan” and in 2008 for “Conan the Cimmerian.”

Jeremy Bement, who manages Mayhem Comics in Clive had this to say:

He hopes Momoa will be able to portray Conan as more than just a buff warrior...

“(Conan’s) not just all muscle; he’s brains and brawn,” Bement clarified.

“He was the strong, silent type,” Summer said.

“He eventually becomes king, so he is smart.”

To tackle Conan’s psyche and to prepare himself for what he called a “burly script,” Momoa went to the source.

“I did more research with the books (than the movies), to tell you the truth,” he said.

A character sketch of Conan from the upcoming film describes the lead character as “very smart, almost inhumanly strong, and very cunning. … His entire life, from the moment of his birth, has been shaped by violence.”

As for what the next Conan is looking like these days...





Now I know this material is near and dear to a lot of peoples hearts, but I personally am excited about it. I dig Momoa's acting, and he is VERY GOOD with a sword. On a side note, it's being reported that Momoa beat out not only Kellan Lutz of Twilight fame, but also Jared Padelecki of Supernatural.

So what do you think? Did the studio make a mistake, or is Momoa coming along nicely?

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DogsOfWar
DogsOfWar - 3/5/2010, 8:51 PM
He looks like he is beefing up. I have to say with this and the addition of Rachel Nichols, maybe things are turning around for this movie.

Good find Talontd
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 3/5/2010, 8:51 PM
I actually think he has Conan's facial features which Arnold didn't. I just don't know if he can get anywhere near big enough. Conan is huge.

If Hemsworth doesn't get absolutely Thor huge he can get away with it because they can explain his strength away to his godhood.

Conan is a man. Men do not get super-humanly strong without a big dose of muscle. It doesn't happen.
Phinehas
Phinehas - 3/5/2010, 8:53 PM
He ought to go on the Sylvester Stallone plan! If a sixty something can beef up to size he's never been before, so can Mr. Mamoa.
Dmon
Dmon - 3/5/2010, 8:57 PM
@Phinehas Yes he needs some of that good old HGH. lol
Talontd
Talontd - 3/5/2010, 8:57 PM
@Dogs

Thanks!

@Hawks

I thought the same thing, but when i was looking for images for this article I found quite a few where Conan isn't depicted as a Hulk...



I dunno...I certainly think it's do-able. What remains to be seen is if he can emulate the presence and charisma of Arnold...that will be MUCH more important than his size, imo.
DogsOfWar
DogsOfWar - 3/5/2010, 9:18 PM
Hawks-what happened to your Kick Ass featurette?
GoGoGadgetsBruh
GoGoGadgetsBruh - 3/5/2010, 9:40 PM
he seems to be beefier which is very good
no more dreads
I have a feeling this movie will end up surprising us all and be awesome haha :D
which is what Im hoping for!
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 3/5/2010, 10:05 PM
It looks like he's beefing up a bit, this movie certainly has potential.
tazmaniak
tazmaniak - 3/5/2010, 11:08 PM
I've always kinda liked Momoa, so I have no problem with the casting.I will say he looks a helluva lot more like the character without the dreads and goatee.
ASSASSIN666
ASSASSIN666 - 3/6/2010, 1:41 AM
I never touched steroids in my life, and think anyone who does isn't worthy of manhood. That being said, Momoa needs a f**king miracle to look like Conan should. Whoever cast him should be shot, he looks like a Venice beach surfer geek. Don't ever tell me that somebody couldn't find a talented, massive built actor to follow Arnold's example of Conan.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 3/6/2010, 3:55 AM
THE GUYS GOOD WITH A SWORD, HE'S BEEFING UP, THE SHATLOCKS ARE OUT, AND HE'S GOT THAT PISSED YET WHEELS ARE TURNING LOOK BEHIND HIS EYES THING, SO THIS COULD BE A VERY COOL THING.,BY THE WAY, THANKS FOR THIS FANSITE, REALLY WAS WONDERING WHATS CONAN LOOKING LIKE NOWADAYS.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 3/6/2010, 4:32 AM
Anil Rickly@ I think that too!
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 3/6/2010, 5:01 AM
Dogs: Luffy had already post the same thing a few days ago. I deleted mine when I found it.
DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 5:50 AM
TALONTD@ Your image is of the way Barry Windsor Smith
was drawing Conan! It's totally innacurate in reference
to the pulp stories!

Later they got John Buscema and he read the CONAN books
and got CONAN'S look right! John Buscema's art depicts
CONAN the way he is in the stories written by Robert
E. Howard!

CONAN was a huge muscular Barbarian with raw power, you
don't get that with a slim tall build like Momoa has!
His body-type is all wrong for a Barbarian Warrior
who could overturn a riding warrior and his horse
by savagely grabbing the beast by the chest and
throwing it to the ground like Howard described in one
of his stories!

JOHN BUSCEMA'S CONAN--MOST ACCURATE

LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/6/2010, 5:56 AM
Who gives a [frick]!

STARGATE BOY is TOTALLY WRONG for CONAN!!

Project is DOOMED from the start, this is [frick]ed just like the Ultimate Spider-man reboot is.

[frick] hollywood lol.

DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 6:00 AM
ASSASSIN@ Is right! Whoever cast Momoa for CONAN oughtta be
shot!!!

Here's a guy who fits the part perfectly...he's less pretty
than Momoa and is a damn good actor! He played the
traditional HERCULES on TV once! I'm not even gonna mention
his name it's just an example of the talent that is out
there that this idiot director didn't even have the brains
to look at! This idjit is the man who directed
PATHFINDER! I have NO confidence in him to do Conan right
whatsoever!









Vafrous
Vafrous - 3/6/2010, 6:03 AM
The dude does resemble Conan...
DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 6:09 AM
EXACTLY LEEE@!

You hit the nail right on the head!!!
Hollywood is run by unimaginative
suits who wouldn't know a good movie if
it bit them!

The only reason Marvel is getting their
movies done right up till now is because
they have put directors in there who care
about the art before the business! If you
make good art the business will come!
Just like Favreau proved with Iron Man!
Marvel is mainly using independent type
artistic directors for their movies so far!
Art before business!
superdog
superdog - 3/6/2010, 6:10 AM
Too many pictures of shirtless guys, what is this a twilight movie?
DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 6:13 AM
GAMBIT@ He looks like CONAN cuz he's a Scottish Keltic actor
from Scotland named, PAUL TELFER! Look him up on IMBD. He's
a dark-Kelt just like CONAN was written to be!
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 3/6/2010, 6:13 AM
Check out the interview I found with Marc Webb. Its posted in interviews.

DDD : I'm with you all the way man. I'm really trying to get behind this movie it just doesn't seem to be happening for me.
DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 6:16 AM
SUPERDOG@ I just showed him shirtless cuz CONAN is
supposed to be a shirtless Barbarian! I am only
illustrating my point! CONAN is supposed to be a
huge-muscled powerful warrior! Not a scrawny
Hawaiian like Momoa! I don't care how good he can
handle a blade!
DDD
DDD - 3/6/2010, 6:20 AM
I wanted to get behind it too HAWKS@ but it just ain't right!
I don't care how many good actors they put behind Momoa!
I like Momoa as an actor but he is just so wrong for
CONAN it's pathetic, EXTREMELY PATHETIC!
It's quite evident that this is the director of PATHFINDER!
He just doesn't know how to make a correct or good movie!
seanxvito
seanxvito - 3/6/2010, 7:34 AM
go Jason Momoa!!! i'm so glad he got picked for Conan. i thought he was great in Stargate Atlantis and i wonder if this will have any effect on the Startgate Extinction movie.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 3/6/2010, 8:30 AM
FIRST THE GUY IS RO-NAN NOW HES CO-NAN.
davearino91
davearino91 - 3/6/2010, 8:51 AM
I think Momoa is gonna be pretty good cause hes startin to look like conan from the original stories from the 1930s.....I mean in the original books Robert E. Howard described him as 6' 6", 250lbs of muscle and extremely agile and Momoa is only 6'5" and 210 so hes not far off....plus conan was a skilled fighter no matter what he had to use......
STOOPUDR
STOOPUDR - 3/6/2010, 9:04 AM
I think this casting is a great idea if this is the origin portion of a larger trilogy, and this guy builds up for the next 2. Conan was huge, but he had to get that way. Think how impressive it will be when they can use the same actor through the progression of the character. He is building-up already, and can keep getting bigger if it is worth it, and he saw what Conan did for Arnie.

I also never thought Arnie looked much like Conan except for the size, but he was great in the part. This guy has everything but the size, and that is easier to get.
STOOPUDR
STOOPUDR - 3/6/2010, 9:11 AM
think Captain America over time without the Super Soldier Serum.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 3/6/2010, 9:16 AM
Anil Rickly@
Are you reading my mind man?!!:D You are stealing my words!:D

DDD@
Like Rickly said of course he can bulk up! Wait the trailer and then we see the truth! Althought i dont trust very much on Marcus Nispel as a director, but i hope the best. Ouh!...And you are right. Telfer would have been great Conan!:)

Ps. I think that Rourke and Lang are stealing the show in this movie!... At least Rourke if not Lang!
STOOPUDR
STOOPUDR - 3/6/2010, 9:28 AM
Except for Ironman and Wolverine, none of the guys in comicbook movies have been big enough. Superheroes are F'n huge. I will not list all of them, but Batman is a big guy, but everyone loved Micheal Keaton in Batman but he fit worse than Momoa.

I have an early draft of the Batman script from Keaton's movie. The script is identical up to the scene in Vicky Vales apartment, but totally different from that point on. This script was obviously written before Keaton was cast, he did things like breaking a chair he was tied to by flexing his muscles. This script was much better, than the great movie that came out. However, maybe if that movie was cast better we would not be stuck with these armored Batman/ Ironman hybrids movies we have been stuck with for 20 years. Batman was a big guy in a suit, not a guy in armor.

After all of this - I changes my mind. Momoa sucks for the part, and should not be cast. However that same can be said about Hemsworth at Thor, whoever the cast for Captain America, Maguire as Spiderman, most of the cast of X-men, everyone whoever played Batman, everyone ever cast as Superman (last two should have been played by Patrick Warburton), etc. You get my point dont you?
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 3/6/2010, 10:01 AM
I commented on the other Conan article, but to know what Howard had in mind for Conan's look you need to look at the black & white illustrations in his original books, not follow-up comics. Even on the cover Conan is depicted bulkier than the actual B&W illustrations inside, which has always been typical in the book publishing world. The heroes are always bulky hunks on the cover, but not described the same in the actual book. In letters, Howard compared Conan in physique to another character of his, Cormac Fitzgeoffrey. Cormac was 6'2" and 215 lbs and Howard likens him to be Conan's double in a physical sense. Momoa is much taller, so that means he needs more weight. I am not sure 10 lbs will do it enough for my taste. 20-25 would be perfect. I don't need a hulky Conan like many here do, but I don't want an extra-lean hulk either. Somewhere in between.
Talontd
Talontd - 3/6/2010, 10:24 AM
@DDD

I never stated that those were the most accurate images. My point was that this is not the first time the character is being depicted as something other than a hulking goliath. When I said "Now I know this material is near and dear to a lot of peoples hearts" I was actually thinking of you because i remember the fit you threw when Momoa was cast. Trust me, I know how you feel, just not with THIS source material. Jeez, any day now Krasinski is gonna be announced as Captaing America!

But davearino91 does have a point he says, "...I mean in the original books Robert E. Howard described him as 6' 6", 250lbs of muscle and extremely agile and Momoa is only 6'5" and 210 so hes not far off"

And STOOPUDR says "I think this casting is a great idea if this is the origin portion of a larger trilogy, and this guy builds up for the next 2. Conan was huge, but he had to get that way. Think how impressive it will be when they can use the same actor through the progression of the character. He is building-up already, and can keep getting bigger if it is worth it, and he saw what Conan did for Arnie.

I also never thought Arnie looked much like Conan except for the size, but he was great in the part. This guy has everything but the size, and that is easier to get.
"

My train of thought is more along the lines of theirs. We have a GOOD actor, lots of charisma, AWESOME with a sword, who is ONE INCH and 25LBS shy of the source material.....not too shabby in my book. And if he gets up to 240LBS for the next...that's perfect!.....imo.

So, you kinda gotta ask yourself....is the glass half full or empty?
theartofoneness
theartofoneness - 3/6/2010, 11:17 AM
when your right your right. I personally was not a big fan and it looked ddoomed. Now its making more sense.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/6/2010, 11:29 AM
@ ddd that guy should play conan without a doubt.
with what looks to me to be a case of wrong casting all round,this film could end up sucking balls.
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 3/6/2010, 11:34 AM
"...I mean in the original books Robert E. Howard described him as 6' 6", 250lbs of muscle and extremely agile"

Howard never once in his books gave an exact height and weight of Conan. ;-) He referred in a letter he wrote shortly before his death that at 15 Conan was 6'0" tall and 180 pounds. That is the only actual reference to a height and weight Howard ever wrote down for Conan, other than another letter in which he compared him to Cormac, though we can only go by Cormac's physical statistics that Howard penned. Conan's size and build are all open to interpretation. With all the various illustrations and descriptions we all can have our varying opinions on the subject. I grew up reading the original books and looking at the illustrations in the books.

Bottom line... at Momoa's height he does need to put on at least 20 lbs, not 10 lbs, to look close to what I would like to see on the big screen.

I don't get those that are down on Momoa's acting skills. Arnold played Conan and had zero acting skills. Momoa has acting skills. Even for the haters, he has better acting skills than Arnold ever has had. Arnold got by totally on his build. It worked, but I would never classify him as a good actor.

STOOPUDR@ I am with you in your philosophy that they do a trilogy and he gets bigger as he matures and develops in the role.
kalel38
kalel38 - 3/6/2010, 11:40 AM
this film is gonna be a load of sh**e
Talontd
Talontd - 3/6/2010, 12:21 PM
@Ranger

Hmmmm....didn't know that. I've said before, but i'll say it again....I'm not familiar with the source material. All I know of Conan is the few comics i flipped through in the store, and Arnold's movies. But your statement would seem to support what I said. I'm pretty sure i've seen some of those illustrations (but couldn't find any for this article), and Conan was pretty stocky. But 6' 180lbs is really not a BIG guy! Momoa would look like a giant next to someone of that build, both in height and girth.

Momoa showed a great deal of charisma on SGA, and the producers of the film have stated that his sword handling was leaps and bounds better than anyone else that tried out. What remains to be seen is if he has the 'presence' for this role. Personally, i think he'll nail it. There were many times on SGA where he truly seemed ferocious...
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 3/6/2010, 1:10 PM
Talontd@ 6' and 180 was when he was 15 years old. That's decent size for a 15 year old, especially if he was in shape. His mass was put on over the years. I am 6'1 and 225. I am in decent shape, but even if I were to cut and tone up more, I still wouldn't be close to the Conan look. The thing Momoa has working against him is his height. It will be tougher for him to get the mass due to his lean frame, but not impossible.

I tried to find the b&w illustrations from the original source material, but can't find any images. If you look up Howard's books on Amazon, you can flip through the pages and view some of the illustrations. You will see that they aren't even always consistent, but he does appear to be in between the lean and massive size. :-)
Talontd
Talontd - 3/6/2010, 2:15 PM
@Ranger

Oh.....DAMN! Hahaha, that is f*ckin HUGE for a 15yr old! Thanks for the clarification, when i get outta work i'll check for some of those images and see if I can post them.

I don't have a problem with him being 225lbs for the 1st movie, 235lbs. for the 2nd, and a HULKING 240lbs for the last! (improbable, but not impossible)!

Cheers.
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