Robert Downey Jr. at the London premiere of "Due Date" (Getty Images)
Given Hollywood’s mania for reboots these days and the continuing popularity of all things vampire, it’s sort of surprising that no one has yet come up with a concrete plan to bring Anne Rice‘s original beautiful, brooding bloodsuckers back to the screen. But on the off-chance there’s a producer looking to do just that, Rice already has her eye on a few leading men to play the original emo vamps Louis and Lestat, the same ones portrayed in Neil Jordan‘s visually sumptuous 1994 adaptation of “Interview with the Vampire” by Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise respectively.
Nowadays, Rice says in a lengthy interview with the Vulture blog that Richard Armitage or Matt Bomer would be perfect for Louis — and Robert Downey Jr. for his seductive blond counterpart. “That would be wonderful,” Rice said of the idea of Downey portraying the role. “He is a great actor. He would bring the gravitas and the wit and humor and all of that to the part, and I don’t think he’s too old. I think if he had a blond wig and makeup, he would be a wonderful Lestat.”
Considering the original firestorm around Cruise’s casting in the role — a move Rice initially objected to but then supported — it’s a bit amusing to hear the author nominate an out-of-the-box choice like Downey, who’s certainly a talented actor but one who possesses very few of Lestat’s physical traits (and is a good deal older than the character as written in Rice’s series of novels which began 1976′s “Interview”). Then again, Stuart Townsend played Lestat in 2002′s “Queen of the Damned,” and though he was much closer in appearance to the character, that movie failed to gain traction with vampire fans or, really, anyone — it grossed roughly $30 million at the box office.
Since it’s always fun to speculate on a Friday afternoon, who would you like to see reprise the role? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
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Is there really an interest in another movie based on Anne Rice's books, let alone another version of "Interview"?
yes there is!!! But it would be nice if it were made properly and accurately, not like QOD which it is not a surprise it flopped.
I love RDJ, he is my favorite actor and Lestat is my fave character. Do I think he could play a marvelous Lestat? Absolutely.
He doesn't look like him, no, but nowadays the look is hardly important if backed by good make up and retouch.
I really hope they will do The Witching Hour as well one day!
i don't think they need to re-do Interview, i think they should do The Vampire Lestat, and then Queen of the Damned
They already made Queen of the Damned, and it sucked.
Right on the money with this one! Instead of what QOD movie did (which seemed to crunch 2 books into one movie and then changed it..) The Vampire Lestat could stand on it's own
Heyyyy i’m tabitha do u wonna be freinds .
,
I know don’t u think?
Stuart townsend is tha cutast don’t u think omg lol. :*:*:*.
Stuart townsend is tha cutast don’t u think omg lol. :*:*:*
Which one
Christian Bale. He is the go-to guy for remakes. He is also the right age. As far as "gravitas and the wit and humor", he was in American Psycho. Just needs to dye his hair. At least he doesn't have to change his weight.
Remake Queen of the Damned or make Tale of the Body Thief. Interview is already perfect. Not Robert Downey, he is too old. A fresh face please!
No interview was ok but queen of the dam really sucked specially cuz they changed a lot of thigs 4rm wat the book really was I luv all her books & I really dnt think he should be lestat I think all them should b new acters tht haven’t done many movies
Please don't ever comment on a story again. That is truly one of the most ignorant, illiterate posts I have ever had the displeasure to read. And to think, you posted that after having supposedly reading a BOOK?
You mean read a book…
I’m gonna make a humorous suggestion for the part of Louis: Taylor Lautner.
But seriously, I like the idea of Robert Downey Jr. playing Lestat. I think he could bring maturity to the character. Plus it would be amusing to hear him use one of Lestat’s catch phrases.
I love the idea of another 'Interview' though I love the original. I would love them to make any of the vampire chronicles into a movie. Lets make it happen! I love Robert Downey Jr., but I really don't think he looks like Lestat at all. I think Hayden Christensen would be a perfect Lestat!
Hayden Christensen – Perfect!
yessssssssssss
Matt Bomer is so effing yummy.
Hayden Christensen is the worst actor in Hollywood. That is all.
I'm sorry. Not RDJ, Jr. He is great. Now, let's remember our first written description of LeStat: Tall, at least 6 feet and BLOND. Don't give me the shrimp in a wig again. Besides, time to move on to real vampire sex: Jean Claude from the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, please…
Umm, no, sorry Robert – YOU'RE TOO OLD! You're almost 50 – Lestat was only 21 when he was made immortal – Lestat looks EXACTLY like this; http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f250/Archangel_…
I gave up on lookalikes! if the actor can't play the PERSONALITY and charisma we're lookin for the movie is screwed, wilst a good charismatic impersonation, without the looks, will save the day! I actually find myself sometimes enjoynd the new version better! I always recall the first Pirates of The Caribbean! were it not for Depp's insistance in doing the part his way the movie would've sucked! nothing more than cute landscapes and cool wardrobes, same as every other movie backed with lots of money and resources. That won't do. Some of the best movies I saw were made with a few bucks, most of wich spent on a good actor's salary, LOL!
Nah nah nah, none of you have the right idea for Lestat, not even the author herself!! Robert Downey Jr?? what?? he's about fifty. Lestat was in his 20s right? The actor has to always be under 40. i have the PERFECT Lestat-
MARTIN ROLINSKI! He's just 29 years old so WAY younger than RDJ, BLOND, TALL, GRAY EYED AND TOTALLY HOTTTTTTTT but not in the silly teen Twilight way, he's adult hot!! Besides he can SING too, he was part of the band Bodies Without Organs. Only one prob, he's Swedish/Polish but he speaks English real well and he'd have the sexy accent!!
I don't know what his acting is like, but you're spot on in terms of looks. Rolinski is pretty much how I visualised Lestat.
I think Martin Rolinski would make a far better Lestat than Robert Downing Jr. That and he can sing.
Yes RD is a little older than Lester but with his acting ability he can nail lestats persona. In the book Lestat, Lestat himself thrived on the adoration of his fans at the theatre. I feel as though RDJ can do a great job!