FSR Exclusive
Jonah Hex Photo Debunked, Sort of — Thomas Jane Sets The Record Straight
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 20, 2008
You may remember — mostly because it happened only two days ago — the possible test photo of Thomas Jane as gunslinger Jonah Hex that we posted exclusively in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday. As the time, we were going on a hot scoop from a reliable source, despite the fact that the source could not confirm whether or not the photo was actually tied to the production of Jonah Hex, which is currently in the hands of Crank creators Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor.
Late that afternoon, a post over at Shock confirmed for us that the photo is, in fact, not connected at all to the production. They got word from Mark Neveldine that he has no idea where the photo came from and that it indeed did not originate from their production.
This morning, we got very similar news from the man himself, Thomas Jane. As promised in the previous article, we had been trying to get in touch with him in order to see what the deal was with the photo so that we could ensure that we were bringing you the facts. Jane was nice enough to drop us a line a little while ago (yes, The Punisher knows where to find us) and set the record straight:
Yeah, the pic is real all right – my pal Akiva Goldsman told me about the project and I fell in love with the idea right away. Being a huge fan of all things Hex – I just couldn’t help myself. I called up my buddy Chris Nelson and we spent a Saturday afternoon working up some make-up for this impromptu shoot and I fired a few pics off to Warners. How do people get a hold of this shit? It’s a little embarrassing seeing my fanboy enthusiasm spilled all over the web, but great scripts don’t come around too often, especially for characters I love.
So as you can see, the photo is legitimately Thomas Jane in the role of Jonah Hex, it is just not attached to the Warner Bros. production. However, as you can see from his statement above, it is clear that Jane is a fan of the character and would be very interested to take on the role. So hopefully that clears things up for everyone — photo is real, just not attached to the production.
As for said production, no more details have emerged, as writer/director team Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are currently in post production on Crank 2. We can expect though, that some news may pop up in the near future, possibly at Comic Con in San Diego next month. We will keep you posted, for sure.
Would you like to see Thomas Jane as Jonah Hex, knowing what you know now?
Read more articles by Neil Miller
8 Comments
June 20th, 2008 at 9:15 am
looks good, and it is good to know he is a fan boy, it will bring more to the movie (hopefully). I don’t know if you remember the game but Thomas Jane voiced the main character in the game Gun I wish they’d make that into a movie, it had the voices of all kinds of great actors (Brad Douriff, Thomas Jane, Lance Henriksen and Kris Kristofferson that would be great in a live action movie.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I would say there’s no need to be embarrassed about taking the initiative to dress yourself up like a comic book character on a random Saturday with your makeup artist friend to do a photo shoot. Our very own Robert Fure spends most Saturdays doing just that, and although he sends the proofs off to Warner Brothers, he’ll still get overlooked for the role in favor of Thomas Jane.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Me and Jane go up for the same roles all the time, he just doesn’t know it, nor do the casting people because I never actually get called in I just sort of go into their offices in costume and use the restroom.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:37 am
i think there are some people on the web biting their tongues right now.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
Jane was the only good part of the wretched “Punisher” remake. With a director equipped with a brain - so Heinsleigh need not apply - he would’ve embodied any character for whom he has passion, I’m sure. And while I have no idea who the scarred cowboy is, sounds like Jane knows the character well and would have made it work.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I am sorry to say but Thomas Janes does not have the look of the Jonah Hex character. I’ve read Jonah Hex comics when I was a kid and his face is the face of ultimate evil and cruilty. The picture of Thomas janes does not portray these character.
July 27th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Thomas Jane nailed the role as Frank Castle in “The Punishr”. I’ve never understood the negative talk about him or this movie. Jane’s intensity and passion for what Castle went thru and how he was feeling completely and infatically shines thru on screne in a very real and empathetic way. I respected Jane’s difficult decision to pull out of P2 — He genuinely cares about Frank Castle’s character and didn’t feel Castle was going to be protrayed true in P2. (Which also shows it’s not all about the green back dollar to Thomas Jane…or he’d have done this sequal just to pick up some extra cash…)
I admit, I don’t know who Jonah Hex is (or was) but if anyone can bring him true to form…it is without a doubt Thomas Jane. Look how he is already transforming physical attribute to Hex. If Jane believes in a character he has a rare gift of living him off screen so that he can live him on screen. He genuinely devotes himself! (Yes, and Thomas’s stone cold stare captures his fan’s attention– especially when that one eyebrow raises up and he pierces a deadly look at his enemy…you know someone’s in trouble then! :}
So, to conclude and in this lady’s opinion…I think Warner Brothers would be very smart in offering this role to TJ…if they want to make a lot of money that is.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 am
TJ would make the best Jonah Hex, no question. The guy is smart. He knows how to portray a character and how to pick scripts. Personally I can’t wait to see him in THE DARK COUNTRY next summer - it’s a stereoscopic 3D, live action thriller shot in film noir style. The awesome thing about it is TJ also directed it…