CONAN Casting Rumors: Stephen Lang And Rachel Nichols!

Jim here. According to LatinoReview, apparently Stephen Lang (you all know him right? A little character known as Col. Quaritch in AVATAR?) has been offered the role of Khalar Singh who happens to be the main villain in CONAN.

Khalar Singh's character was described last fall as: In his 40s to 50s, Asian or Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Mongol, Turkish, or Persian, open to all ethnicities; commanding in size and manner, a warlord and formidable warrior, brilliant, cruel, weathered and tanned by the many campaigns he has waged and won. He is driven in his quest to find the Queen of Acheron and has been building an empire to do so. His goal is to find the Queen whose blood will bring life to the demonic minions of Acheron while making himself king of this hellish power. With this power, Khalar will protect his legacy against the onslaught of master sorcerer, Thoth-Amon so that his weak son, Fariq may rule after his death. While riding into a Cimmerian village to recruit his old comrade, Corin, his large collection of mercenaries slaughters them to the last soul when Corin refuses to join them. The village’s only survivor was young Conan. When Khalar’s search has finally narrowed to the likely discovery of the queen at a monastery of female monks, he also learns Conan is older and hungry for revenge.

The deal is not final yet and negotiations are still underway.

Same goes for the role of Tamara. LatinoReview also says that Rachel Nichols (Scarlett in G.I. JOE) has been approached. Seems that Nichols beat out Jessica Lucas (CLOVERFIELD) and Sarah Shahi (THE L WORD).

Tamara's character is 18 to 24 years old, Caucasian or Middle Eastern, open to all ethnicities; beautiful, studious, correct, a novitiate of a Greek influenced monastery. A master of martial arts, she has been trained to be the Queen’s servant, bodyguard and best friend. She and many other female bodyguards to the queen have been in hiding most of their lives because of the curse of Acheron, which would take the queen’s life to bring almost immortal power to its king. When Khalar Singh, a powerful warlord with ambitions to become the king of Acheron, storms the monastery and captures all of the novitiates, she is separated from Ilira, the one she must protect. With all of her strength and will, Tamara is determined to find and rescue her. She finds herself in league with Conan because of a mutual need to find Khalar Singh. She is not in the least intimidated by Conan’s size or grim demeanor and their alliance eventually blossoms into something that surprises them both.

LatinoReview also broke the news that Leo Howard (Young Snake Eyes in G.I. JOE) has been cast as the "Young Conan" too. Seems they have a pretty good source in the Millenium organization! :-)

More when we get it! CONAN is shaping up quite nicely I think. Lang will bring a lot of power and intensity to the villain role. I have always been a huge fan of his.

Of course CONAN going S3D is still a rumor, but I am too thrilled to not cover it... so it better happen!