Malkovich, Brolin set for ‘Hex’

Source: Variety

Variety is reporting John Malkovich has joined the cast of “Jonah Hex,” the Warner Bros. adaptation of the DC Comics property that begins production in April.

Malkovich will play Quentin Turnbull, a wealthy Southern plantation owner whose son is killed by Union soldiers during the Civil War. Josh Brolin stars as the title character, Jonah Hex, a former confederate soldier-turned-hardened bounty hunter and gunslinger. Jimmy Hayward (”Horton Hears a Who”) is directing the script by ”Crank” scribes Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Mad Chance’s Andrew Lazar is producing with Weed Road’s Akiva Goldsman.

Malkovich, most recently seen in ”Burn After Reading” and ”Changeling,” is currently presiding over the Mexico opening of “The Good Canary,” a Zack Helm-penned play that Malkovich directed. The play, which bowed in France, was translated into Spanish, and Diego Luna is starring in the feature.

Legendary Pictures, the trade reports, has joined Jonah Hex as both co-financier and co-producer. 

Newsarama claims,

“Long-time Hex fans will know the name – Virginia plantation owner Quentin Turnbull first appeared in 1974’s Weird Western Tales #22, created by Michael Fleisher and Tony DeZuniga. In the original story, Hex surrendered to Union Army, but refused to divulge where the Confederate soldiers with whom he served were camped. By examining the dirt on the hooves of Hex’s horse, the Union soldiers were able to determine from where Hex had ridden, allowing them to find ht soldiers and massacre them. Turnbull’s son, Jeb (Hex’s best friend) was among those killed, and saw Hex as a traitor who gave the Union the information, and was therefore responsible for his son’s death. 

Turnbull and Hex tussled numerous times in the comics, with Turnbull sending many charismatic criminals (such as El Papagayo and The Chameleon.) after the bounty hunter to kill him.”

My only experience with the Johah Hex character comes from the Justice League Unlimited animated series where the character was voiced by Firefly/Dr. Hammer alumi, Nathan Fillion. Brolin and now Malkovich are definitely capable actors, but I’m a little apprehensive about direction coming from the man who brought us “Horton Hears a Who.”

What do YOU think?