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Khan will play a superhero that will be based on the heroic monkey god
Producer Uru Patel has abandoned plans to cast a Japanese actor in his version of Hanuman. He now wants Aamir Khan to play the title role, though not as the monkey god but as a super-hero.
Casting coup
Rama and Ravan will be played by Hollywood stars Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman respectively. Sita was to be played by Shilpa Shetty. After she opted out, the hunt is on for an international face.
Waiting for the nod
Earlier, it was revealed that a Japanese actor would play Hanuman. The role required a martial arts expert flipping and somersaulting his way throughout. The whole project now depends on Aamir's nod which he'll give only after he approves of the script. The catch is, Aamir's signature will have to be on every page of the script. Says a source, "Aamir wants to sign every page of the script to ensure no changes happen during shooting. Only then will he agree to play Hanuman."
Apparently, this is the method of working - a signature on every page of the script - that Aamir will adopt in all his future projects, whenever he signs more films. For now, the project still awaits his approval.
Changing hands
Earlier Hanuman was to be directed by Luis Mandoki (of Message In A Bottle fame) who wrote the first few drafts of the project. But now, the chosen director is Chuck Russell. His familiarity with the language of fantasy (Eraser, The Mask, The Scorpion King, Mandrake) qualified him for the job of directing Hanuman.
At the meeting
A hush-hush meeting happened in Los Angeles three months ago. At the meeting held at Uru's residence, director Chuck Russell met up with Aamir's representative Pradeep Guha. The project has now passed into Aamir's hands and his approval is awaited. Says Pradeep Guha, "He has been approached. But Aamir will decide only after he reads the script."
Where it will be shot
Other sources insist that the makers of Hanuman are keen to have Aamir on board and ready to comply with all his preconditions. Once Aamir signs the film formally, the first schedule of Hanuman is expected to be held in Rajasthan, at the end of the year. The rest of the film will be shot at Hollywood studios.
Fact sheet
Hrithik Roshan has played a superhero in Krissh
Shah Rukh Khan's forthcoming Ra 1 is a superhero flick too
Hanuman will now be played as a super-hero
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