Cast This: Tarzan

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Now that David Yates is set to direct the live-action TARZAN film, his next item of business was to find the man of the apes himself. Why don’t we give him some ideas in week’s CAST THIS?

Starting out in silent films, the first live-action Tarzan was seen in 1918. The character was quite popular in the 30s and 50s, and has always had a strong significance in pop culture. But when it comes to one iconic Tarzan film, we can’t say that their definitively is one. I think most of us think back to the Disney film from 1999. Then there’s GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, a Tarzan parody that originally started as a cartoon in the fall of 1967. Later, Brendan Fraser would play George in a 1997 live-action film. Or maybe you think of GREYSTROKE with Christopher Lambert from 1984. Next year, we will get another animated TARZAN film with Kellan Lutz doing the voice of the character. To be fair, there is no standout among these.

With David Yates, I think this live-action version stands a chance to rise about the previous attempts. Unless its fate is much like another Edgar Rice Burroughs character, JOHN CARTER. While we aren’t here to concentrate on the story, I think it will be interesting to see how they write this character into the modern world. So who is currently being eyed for the role? Rumor has it that Henry Cavill, Alexander Skarsgard, Charlie Hunnam, and Tom Hardy are some of the names. It was mentioned by one of the schmoes that it may not be so good to go after a more well known actor for the role. This I have to agree with. Personally, I think someone like Hunnam would be perfect.

Who is going to be the guy to say, “Me, Tarzan. You, Jane.”? You tell us!

It was made clear that Joe Carnahan was the guy that needed to direct the next MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film, or at least be considered. Out of the three top choices, I really think that someone like Campbell should really get a shot at this. He did such a spectacular job with CASINO ROYALE that something like this should be a piece of cake for him. Bryan Singer was definitely an interesting choice, I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that he’s worked with Cruise and has experience doing action. I like him, but I don’t know if he’s the right fit for the franchise. Another suggestion that didn’t quite make the cut was getting Cruise to get behind the camera himself. I’d support that.