Ratner Says Conan Announcement Was Premature

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Ratner Says Conan Announcement Was Premature

November 12, 2008

Remember Sunday's night's announcement that Brett Ratner was committed to direct the Conan movie? Not so fast, says Ratner. Turns out, Millennium Films' Avi Lerner sent the announcement that Ratner was attached to the project prematurely to The Hollywood Reporter. Ratner spoke to the Los Angeles Times:

Lerner acknowledged that even though he sent out a press release announcing Ratner's involvement with the project, the deal wasn't actually done. "We still have a few obstacles," he said. "Brett is only committed if we agree on a budget, on how to do the special effects and exactly where we'd shoot the film." Lerner has a studio in Bulgaria, so he'd like to shoot most of the movie there, with some exterior work in China.

But is Ratner actually committed to doing the film? In two words: Not really. When I called him today, he sounded somewhat agitated, unhappy that news of his negotiations with Lerner had surfaced, especially since he is extremely close to getting a green light from Paramount to make "Beverly Hills Cop 4." "Let me make this very clear," he told me. "I am not doing 'Conan' now. This is totally premature. For now, 'Conan' is only a development deal. I have a deal at Paramount and I'm doing 'Beverly Hills Cop' first, no matter what. Avi shouldn't be telling you or anyone else in the press what I'm doing."

You can read more on what happened, and what Lerner's plans are for the Conan movie here.

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Posted by: Qent on November 12, 2008 at 17:50:21

so happy its not him...or possibly not him directing.

Posted by: Qent on November 12, 2008 at 17:51:53

and for the record X3 suck major A$$.

Posted by: Qent on November 12, 2008 at 17:52:37

ooops i meant Sucked major A$$, lol

Posted by: Captain Wow on November 12, 2008 at 18:10:47

Please don't let him touch Conan, Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan,Please don't let him touch Conan. SUCK IT RATNER!!!!

Posted by: Krom on November 12, 2008 at 18:12:57

I feel better...maybe...let's hope this opens the door for someone who can really get into the mythos of this character...not just create some summer popcorn fluff film

Posted by: CaptainStacy on November 12, 2008 at 18:14:21

Beverly Hills Cop 4 is more his speed. PLEASE keep him the Hell away from Conan.

Posted by: Fidel Sarcastro on November 12, 2008 at 18:20:50

I'm so excited about Ratner directing Beverly Hills Cop 4, because the last one was so great! I felt so bad for the other nominees at the Oscars when Beverly Hills Cop 3 won all the awards. I'd love to see an award for "worst shelled out crap" the nominees would be limitless. As far as the third X-men movie is concerned, I thought it was awesome. I can't believe you guys didn't like such a desperate attempt at loosely combining several X-Men stories in one movie, completely rewriting them, and depriving key characters to limited or any screen time at all. Now can you see why it was so important to have a trilogy? Loyalty to the fan base and original concepts from the stories is far less important.

Posted by: jmralls2001 on November 12, 2008 at 18:21:58

X-Men 3 was good.

Posted by: Fidel Sarcastro on November 12, 2008 at 18:23:35

yeah, good if you mean bad

Posted by: David on November 12, 2008 at 18:25:10

Posted by: Fidel Sarcastro on November 12, 2008 at 18:20:50

I'm so excited about Ratner directing Beverly Hills Cop 4, because the last one was so great! I felt so bad for the other nominees at the Oscars when Beverly Hills Cop 3 won all the awards. I'd love to see an award for "worst shelled out crap" the nominees would be limitless. As far as the third X-men movie is concerned, I thought it was awesome. I can't believe you guys didn't like such a desperate attempt at loosely combining several X-Men stories in one movie, completely rewriting them, and depriving key characters to limited or any screen time at all. Now can you see why it was so important to have a trilogy? Loyalty to the fan base and original concepts from the stories is far less important.

Fidel your sarcasm makes me laugh. agree on you you say, I can't believe they allow this idiot to keep making films.

Posted by: David on November 12, 2008 at 18:26:26

that should say agree with you on what you say.

Posted by: firelord on November 12, 2008 at 18:42:10

Too bad Ratner didn't fall on the Wolverine claws during the X3 shooting...it would keep him from screwing up Conan.

Posted by: robot on November 12, 2008 at 18:42:40

i hope we see conan fight a giant robot. robot are cool.

Posted by: Fidel Sarcastro on November 12, 2008 at 18:53:50

Its all good, dave. I knew what you meant, and glad I got a laugh out of you. Hey fellas, I bet jmralls2001 would love to see an X-Men 4 directed by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

Posted by: Clark on November 12, 2008 at 18:55:29

This is great news... I think it's safe to say that at this point, any expecations for a BHC4 are pretty low, so neither Brett or Eddie are going to catch a lot of flak, plus both will be back in the comfort zones that make them watchable, so good for them.

That said, Conan is a whole other beast and I truly hope his sharp remarks about Avi Lerner will cause the producer to change his mind about the deal and work with someone more suited to such an epic production.

Posted by: Born With A Joker Grin on November 12, 2008 at 18:56:30

Ha, David I thought you were having a Yoda moment "agree on you you say..."

Posted by: Ryan on November 12, 2008 at 19:02:47

What do you want to bet he just backed out of directing because of all the horrible press it was getting. I mean, comicbookmovie.com literally headlined it as "Ratner to rape Conan."

Posted by: Fidel Sarcastro on November 12, 2008 at 19:04:21

Now that's funny. I wonder if Ratner would start crying if he read what we are submitting.

Posted by: lou-bert vs. q-bert on November 12, 2008 at 19:12:51

What is most disturbing about this story is that Beverly Hills Cop 4 is actually being made. Didn't #3 just plain suck? And wasn't #2 just a lame duck stuck in the shadow of the original? What could possibly be accomplished by putting Eddie Murphy, now the star of Meet Dave, Pluto Nash and Norbit, anywhere near a Beverly Hills Cop movie?

Posted by: marcos on November 12, 2008 at 19:18:04

Yes please not Ratner. Get the original director of Conan the Barbarian. That film to this day is still a classic.

Posted by: lou-bert vs. q-bert on November 12, 2008 at 19:25:08

I'm not anti-Ratner, but I agree with marcos, the OD's name is John Milius.

Posted by: the stars are bright on November 12, 2008 at 19:28:14

y is ratner still making films? BHC4 better be R rated.

Posted by: Chris on November 12, 2008 at 19:43:25

I believe Brett Ratner is a good director. I have enjoyed his films. You people are to harsh.

Posted by: Harish on November 12, 2008 at 20:12:38

Whatever happens, I hope he does a good job with Beverly Hills Cop IV!!!

Posted by: whenever on November 12, 2008 at 20:16:41

What's really scary is that, based on the poll over there, about 800 people think Ratner directing a Conan movies is a "Great! Can't Wait to See It!" idea.

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