Wow, this boosts the stock of the TOTAL RECALL remake in a big way. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bryan Cranston, who has won a boatload of awards for his amazing turn on AMC’s fantastic series “Breaking Bad”, is in negotiations to play the villainous Velos Cohaagen in the Len Wiseman-helmed sci-fi thriller. Cohaagen was portrayed by Ronny Cox in the 1990 Paul Verhoeven version.
Just last week brought word that a crop of hotties, including Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel and Paula Patton, were trying out for the two female leads in the film, which toplines Colin Farrell.
The Cohaagen character – and TOTAL RECALL story in general – seems markedly different this time around.
The new story involves nation states Euromerica and New Shanghai, with Douglas Quaid (Farrell) a factory worker in the latter who begins to believe he is a spy, although he doesn’t know for which side.
Cranston would play Vilos Cohaagen, the leader of Euromerica who, under the cover of protecting his people, is secretly readying an invasion of New Shanghai.
I honestly don’t know if that’s closer to, or further from, the Philip K. Dick story TOTAL RECALL is based on. I do know that Cranston’s presence will bring the project some serious clout. It’s scheduled for an early AUGUST 2012 release at the moment.
Eva Mendes might her her ass to Mars…