Screenwriter Behind Conan the Barbarian Talks Robert E. Howard, Rating And More!

Screenwriter Behind Conan the Barbarian Talks Robert E. Howard, Rating And More!

Screenwriter Sean Hood talks about Robert E. Howard's influence for Conan the Barbarian, violence in the film, rating, continuity and more. Check it out!

By WolvieCBM - May 04, 2011 06:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Conan
Source: quora.com



Talking about his latest project (via Conan Movie Blog), Conan the Barbarian, screenwriter Sean Hood shared some more info about the overall story, characters, Robert E. Howard's influence , how violent will this film be, rating and more.

On the rating for the film:

"It seems that many fans are worried about it being a soft PG-13. As a screenwriter on Conan The Barbarian, I get asked this question a lot. The world of Hyboria, as Robert E. Howard described it, is fleshy and brutal. Bloody beheadings and bare-chested slave girls abound. However, while the movie is unflinching in its depiction of barbarism, slavery and warfare, the violence and nudity emerge from the fabric of the story. It isn’t gratuitous.

Robert E. Howard’s stories, although violent and perverse for their time, were not intrusively graphic either. So this is ultimately a movie about the character Conan, a character that will hopefully launch a healthy franchise of movies with stories and characters that celebrate Howard’s work. Yes, you’ll see blood and boobs, but this isn’t a Cinemax movie; it’s epic action/fantasy.

And yes, it’s rated R."


On Robert E. Howard's influence:

"The new movie (I was one of the screenwriters) takes its inspiration directly from Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan. Although we did not adapt a specific story, we looked at tales such as Red Nails and Queen of The Black Coast for style, tone, and character.

The movie does not follow the Marvel comic books, and it has only a superficial similarity to the Arnold film. It is not a "remake" of the first Conan The Barbarian.


As for the connection to the Dark Horse comics:

"Actually, there will be an Dark Horse comic book series that will follow the film’s plot, and some spin offs based on other characters in the film (so I’m told.)

I’d still say that for inspiration the writers looked at the original REH stories, and that for visual inspiration, the director looked at artwork by Frazetta.


And if you haven't seen the new trailer click HERE.

Directed by Marcus Nispel and starring Jason Momoa, Rachel Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan and Ron Perlman, Conan the Barbarian is set to hit theatres on August 19!

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Ceejay
Ceejay - 5/4/2011, 7:20 PM
Trailer looked good, film looks way better and finally will separate the Conan fans from the Arnie fans. Should deliver a decent box office enough for a sequel hopefully and bury the stink of those horrible 80's films forever.
DELSIN
DELSIN - 5/4/2011, 7:22 PM
It actually looks alot better than the pg-13 king. Yeah the rock music sucks but it would be hard to top the orginal basil score. At least they got the country of orgin, character look and languages right in this movie though.
darkclarkent
darkclarkent - 5/4/2011, 7:24 PM
Looking forward to see if they reboot Red Sonja
sweetre15
sweetre15 - 5/4/2011, 7:30 PM
@darkclarkkent: They plan to at the moment but Conan needs to make money first.
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 5/4/2011, 7:39 PM
theIntruder@ Have you ever read Howard's books? From watching the trailers I see much more of Howard's world of Hyboria than the prior movie did. The sets, the fantasy element, Conan's fighting style, his look, the characters....dunno...it's as if you are looking at something completely different than what I watched.
Ceejay
Ceejay - 5/4/2011, 7:43 PM
Keep Red Sonja well and truly dead please, it had nothing to do with Howard's Conan and was simply a Marvel comic character that started in their version of Kull and moved into their version of Conan.

And yeah, that movie sucked too!
sweetre15
sweetre15 - 5/4/2011, 7:46 PM
@Ceejay: Even so, she's a pretty strong and likeable character in those comics. Just dont make her crossover or anything like that.
sweetre15
sweetre15 - 5/4/2011, 7:50 PM
@TheIntruder: You probably didnt enjoy the rock music lol. Anyway, hopefully and likely it's not the score of the movie itself.
BINGHAM51
BINGHAM51 - 5/4/2011, 8:02 PM
Need to see a Red Band trailer !!!
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 5/4/2011, 8:16 PM
The definition of "fanboy" is often wrong on this site. I notice people have their own idea of what it is, and it's the complete opposite lol.
preacher
preacher - 5/4/2011, 8:46 PM
From what I've read, the "trailer" was rushed due to us "fanboys" yammering for SOMETHING from the film. I myself didn't really care for it but not passing judgement until I see the full trailer.

Also, typically, the music used in a trailer is RARELY used in the film itself. I've seen this happen numerous times. In my opinion, they truly do need to use a score that's on par with Basil Poledouris' from the Milius' Conan. That film had very little dialogue, letting the score tell the story along with the visuals.

And, in reference to the article regarding boobs and blood, the 80's version had very little nudity in it and the blood, compared to today's films, wasn't rampant either. It wasn't nearly as bloody as say "Braveheart", which, I hope this Conan has THAT look and feel and type of score.
Ceejay
Ceejay - 5/4/2011, 8:57 PM
Between James Earl Jones and the voice narrating the movie, the 80's version had zero acting whatsoever. Arnold didn't have a clue what he was portraying, he just posed a lot swinging his sword and dressed up in a lot of campy costumes.
grog
grog - 5/4/2011, 9:03 PM
ceejay@ Red Sonja is originally a pirate that Conan hangs with for a while in the books.
grog
grog - 5/4/2011, 9:04 PM
ceejay@ Red Sonja is originally a pirate that Conan hangs with for a while in the books.
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 5/4/2011, 10:51 PM
Ceejay Arnold "dressed up in a lot of campy costumes"? lol I know you're on a Hate mission, but flat out lying is not a good look when we've all seen Conan the Barbarian. He barely wears anything lol. When does he wear all these Campy outfits?

You can't even say anything about this movie without bringing up the original Conan. Is that because you really don't have much to say about it? How's Mamoa's acting if the original had zero acting? I'm just curious, because the chicks that speak in the trailer are TERRIBLE. This cannot be disputed. And apparently Jason sucks too because they barely let him speak, and when he does, it's laughable.
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 5/4/2011, 11:43 PM

RamonSuarez I was making a point after someone brought up Arnolds acting as if Mamoa was an Oscar contender. That is if that was indirectly directed at me.

Also, a "Fanboy" is someone who likes ANYTHING that's done with a film, character, book or whatever. No matter how shitty it is, they will make excuses for it and find ways to say it's good. Just thought I'd point that out.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 5/5/2011, 3:03 AM
SirPrize@ PERFECT!:)
Ceejay
Ceejay - 5/5/2011, 3:17 AM
@grog - no that's Red Sonya not Red Sonja! Marvel invented Red Sonja for their comic version of Conan in his age. Howard's Red Sonya was not from the barbarian era, it wasn't even a Conan story, she had a pistol and his story was set in the 16th. Marvel Comics rewrote that story to include Conan for their comics and changed her name to Red Sonja, this had zilch to do with Howard.

@NeoBaggins - If you've seen the movie then you'll know Arnie does go through a series of costumes and light armour especially when he's fighting in the pit. And on him they look campy becasue his choreographed moves are terrible. He keeps repeating the same heavy sword swings in practice sequences in the movie and then repeats the exact same slow moves when he's fighting. And what's with the extra big eyes with every heavy swing? I was in my teens when that film came out and it got slated! I paid real money to see it and the only thing good about it was Sandhal Bergman and the music, in fact those two elements were so good that I bought the film on VHS even though I hated Arnie's dumb, almost mute version of the Barbarian who's supposed to be big but fast and cunning, not dopey! The second film was so bad I just forget it exists.

If you consider me on a hate mission then that's your perspective. I'm more on a quell mission, every time I hear some idiot talk about Arnie being the definitive Conan, and actor who has made a career and a fanbase from being literally the same person in almost every film he's done! Then I will shoot down their ludicrous claim which is usually due to the usual frightened fanboy necessity for no remakes to be made about things they loved from their childhood!

The Conan from the books looks a lot more to be given some justice with Jason Momoa, the clever, cunning warrior who is huge but fast and athletic and can read many languages and has a sense of humour unlike the way he's done in those terrible Marvel comics and Arnie's muscle-headed version.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 5/5/2011, 4:28 AM
Sweetre15@ Agree! I very much doubt that that rock music is the theme of this movie!
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 5/5/2011, 4:39 AM
Ceejay; His costume looked campy because of the choreography? Forgive me for not understanding how that makes sense. And far as his moves, what are you comparing them to? BeastMaster? The Sword and the Sorcerer? Most films in that era and genre COPIED Conan the Barbarian and were always cheap knock-offs. And it would be beyond silly if you're implying that Arnold's moves are terrible compared to say, Nick Gillard's current choreography. Yeah, they are. And they're like 30 years apart in film advancement on a whole. Anakin would slay Arnold's Conan, so would Momoa. What's you're point? Do you not understand the difference?

You hated the movie but bought the VHS for the music. It was a long time ago but I'm pretty sure you could have bought THE SOUNDTRACK. But you wanted to see it.... again. =)

And who's talking about Arnold being the definitive Conan? You're literally the ONLY ONE talking about him. And even if someone did call Arnold the definitive Conan, you can't quell or "shoot down their ludicrous claims" no more than they can stop you from making your claims. Why can't you look forward to the movie and compliment it on it's own merits? Why do you need Arnold? The films are basically two different things and weather you like it or not, Conan is a classic and will be remembered long after Conan 3D leaves the theaters.

Compare it to films of it's peers. Prince of Persia, The Mummy, Scorpian King, Pathfinder, In the Name of the King.
Shaman
Shaman - 5/5/2011, 6:21 AM
Holy shit, what happens if i agree with Ceejay AND NeoBaggins??? Now we're really [frick]ed!!!
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 5/5/2011, 6:46 AM
SirPrize: Thanks for posting the trailer so I could see what people here are talking about. I'm one of the many who come here before work or on break, and I don't always have time to go hunt down trailers.

Ceejay: I must take issue with your comment about the "frightened fanboy necessity for no remakes to be made about things they loved from their childhood". I personally oppose this long-running trend of remaking '80s movies because for the most part, the remakes wind up missing the mark. They totally ruin whatever it was that made the original movie cool or funny or interesting. Yes, the tech is there to do the effects a lot fancier now than what they could do then, but that's no excuse to butcher the original story. There is a reason that many 80s movies remain enduringly popular today- they had a lot better stories, a lot better cinematography, and a lot better acting than films today.

All that said, please don't think I'm defending the Arnold Conan movie. I enjoyed it back in the early 80s, but it's not one of those classic films that should never be redone. It's a fun little beer movie, but that's about it. It was based on a series of novels, and there is certainly room for a better, or at least different, interpretation of the character. This movie seems to be trying to establish its own identity, and is at least paying lip service to being closer to Howard's original novels. I do think the sets look very nice in this new film, and the costuming isn't bad. I need to see more to really fairly comment on this film.
Siolentvex
Siolentvex - 5/5/2011, 7:02 AM
In support of NeoBaggins, when Arnold's Conan came out you could in fact buy the soundtrack. I know because I did.

I'm always abit surprised when people say that Arnold played a big dumb version of Conan. The film states that he studied language, poetry and philosophy. Conan isn't a chatty character, do people expect him to dive into Hamlet's soliloquy to prove his intelligence? That's not Conan.

And yes you can be a fan of the Arnold film without being a fanboy. There is alot of hate on the Arnold film by people who havent watched the anniversary edition or listened to the commentary on the film itself and how it was made and what they were trying to do. The first film was a set up for the forging of Conan. That's why the film opens with the forging of a sword. The plan was to do 3 films ending with King Conan. Unfortunately, the studio scrapped the idea and crapped out a second film to cash in, while giving up the previous theme.

What's really sad is that I don't hear anyone talking about this film or Momoa's acting ability. Don't defend this film by bashing Arnold. Tell us what Momoa can do and point to his previous work. Tell us something about the director OF THIS FILM or maybe from this script that has you so impressed.
sweetre15
sweetre15 - 5/5/2011, 7:16 AM
Siolentvex: 1. So far Momoa seems to have the right voice for REH's Conan

2. In the original stories Conan was not a broken product of civilization like in Millius's film that was trained in civilized philosophies,martial arts and what not let alone enslaved as a child to begin with. And the funny thing was that despite Conan being self made living life as a traveling Barbarian in the original stories he actually talked alot and said a good amount of philosophical things himself with howardian style dialogue which was somewhat reminiscent of Shakespeare's diaologue.

3. Milius's film may be a decent standalone movie but its not a good CONAN movie by any means
PapaEmeritus
PapaEmeritus - 5/5/2011, 7:20 AM
That's just great! RED NAILS!! [frick] yeah!!
@CeeJay, Sonja and Sonya are the same. The phonetics is equal... just like Nadja = Nadia. The J sounds as I.
Ceejay
Ceejay - 5/5/2011, 11:30 AM
No they're not the same, Red Sonya was invented by Howard, her tale is set in the French 16th century not the mythological land Hyporia of Conan. When Marvel adapted his story, they changed her name to Red Sonja and the setting to become a Conan story hence it not being the same character or story that Howard originally scripted or intended.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 5/5/2011, 11:41 AM
@ OneEyedWillie: Yes & No. They used the phonetic change for Legal reasons. They had an article on it a while back. Don't remember where....

Anyways

@ NeoBaggins you seem to just be arguing. The Old movies sucked and you may have loved them like most people in that time did. I Love those movies. I bought them on VHS as well, not for the sound track, rather because I wanted to see Arnie hold heavy things and slowly slash people LMAO. The Movies sucked, not opinion, they were Factually awful.

@ Siolentvex: This movie is much closer to the Source material. A fan of the books can find appreciate this film for that. The acting could be horrible in this film and be better then the acting in the classic films.

My reasons for liking this would be.

1. Momoa is in prime shape and looks more like what I had imagined Conan looking as I grew up.

2. Mamoa has had extensive Sword & Combat Training prior to this film. He is an excellent athlete and still brings a large presence. This makes him a greater candidate to play the character over Arnold having simply, a look they liked. So if his acting is remarkably worse then Arnies, he can at least fight! So in my sensible eyes, hes already a better Conan.

3. The director has been pretty much all Miss no Hit. But this can be attributed to him making Remakes. The films he has done have all showed what he can do with brutal sequences and gory Violence. Plus, unlike the rest of the world I enjoyed Pathfinder. I guess everyone thought they were going to see Gods gift to man on film, I saw exactly what I expected from the film. This is his big movie, I feel he has had a rough training but it has honed his vision for this film. And he is at a midpoint between Re-Make and Untouched Tale.



P.S. A Fanboy is someone who holds excess criticism over something they love. Weather they are soft stroking a terrible actor because they love there favorite character and hes playing him. OR! They are trying to Crucify an actor for being nothing like what he envisioned as his character. Both are classified as Fanboy and many have fallen in this category on this Thread.


jonedc
jonedc - 5/5/2011, 11:45 AM
God....Almighty God....Please make this a good movie...
Siolentvex
Siolentvex - 5/5/2011, 12:01 PM
@Sweetre15
1) Your first point is Momoa 'has the right voice'? How so?
Don't get me wrong I think Momoa can play the part but what exactly do you mean?

2) Your second argument is flawed. Conan did spend a short period of time as a captive while still in his youth in the Conan stories. Sure he wasnt captured as a child but he was a 'slave' for a brief period. In addition, Howard's style of writing, while highly enjoyable, was not filled with prose by Conan as you suggest. Kindly point us to which Conan stories you are refering too. I think you will find Conan thought a great deal but said little.

3) This is purely subjective. I think it's a great Conan film.

@ThaMessenger07-- Just to toss it out there but Arnold had extensive sword training as well prior to the first film. The clips of the new film look nothing like actual sword combat. It's typical Hollywood swordplay and cheesy swordplay @ that.
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 5/5/2011, 1:04 PM
ThaMessenger07 Wasn't talking to you but thanks for your opinion.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 5/11/2011, 2:50 PM
@ magic8 you hate more then like so that is not a surprise coming from you.

@ Neo: Always a pleasure.

@Siolentvex: I mean Mamoa had actual combat and Sword Training, before this film and Stargate. Arnold trained for the movie. The Combat is always displayed more Flamboyant on film. It is not as pretty to see real combat, but this film in the trailer alone displayed better sword play.

Also what would you know of actual Sword Play?
Not to sound condescending, just a question.
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