Paramount Pictures and studio-based Jordan Kerner have teamed to develop a feature film based on long-running television series "Have Gun, Will Travel." Screenwriter Daniel Pyne has been hired to write the script, and the project is on a fast track. The original series, which starred Richard Boone, aired on CBS from 1957-63. Remake rights were held by CBS, a Viacom subsidiary. Viacom is also Paramount's parent company. "Gun," set in the American West during the 1870s, starred Boone as Paladin, a justice-seeking knight who lived a double life as an erudite, well-off San Francisco society man and as an antihero in black with the symbol of a chess knight on his holster who avenges evil in a savage land. The film version will follow Paladin's discovery of his destiny as he goes west in 1875 and settles in San Francisco, a city far away from his dark past in the East.

Of the many stars of stage, screen, and TV today, whom do you feel would be a good choice to play Paladin in the new remake?
My choice would be George Clooney; I think he could pull it off. Say what you will about Clooney, the man CAN ACT, unlike many other pretty boys on the silver screen today. I can picture Clooney as the black-clad, moody Paladin as I sit here writing this, mustache and all! But then, I once thought the "perfect choice" for the BATMAN (the role went to Michael Keaton) would have been Alec Baldwin. Oh, well.............what about the rest of you guys? Who do you feel would make a great Paladin?

Casting a movie sometimes falls into the hands of "the suits" and they can make some outlandish choices. George Clooney was originally schechuled to be the lead in "The Wild Wild West," but then they got this bright idea to make him black and go with the "hot" choice of Will Smith. Clooney was then offered the part of Artemus Gordon and wisely said "no thanks," and left the production. Yes, he would be a good choice for "Have Gun", but can't you just see them brainstorming the idea and coming up with a big busted woman in that part? Maybe Will Smith is available again?
As for Tobor's comment about Alec Baldwin as Batman... in his prime he looked exactly like Bruce Wayne and had the physique for it without the added muscle suit. Just check him out in "The Shadow." He would have been perfect.

I have been thinking about this casting question. I agree most of the "pretty boys" of today are not the steely eyed persona of what I think a Paladin looks like. At least none comes to mind. I believe Paladin should be an older person anyway. Twenty years ago Clint Eastwood would be a good pick but, at 70, he is a little old now. Do you think Gene Hackman could pull it off? Val Kilmer might make a good Paladin. Another possibility would be Willim DeFoe. And one more might be Toby MaGuire. And if you wanted to go with a black Paladin how about Ice-T. Smiley

Ice-T as Paladin, yes. Nothing against Will Smith, but I don't believe he could avoid making it a "comedy" western like he did THE WILD, WILD WEST. I think Ice-T would be Ok. It would have to be someone who would take it seriously.

It frightens me to hear Val Kilmer's name mentioned. He has almost become an outcast in Hollywood as his weird behaviour has made several directors vow never to use him in a film again. Richard Boone had the right demeanor for the role of Paladin and I find it hard to come up with any capable actor that is not too young or too pretty. I will stick with Clooney, he could carry it off. If Morgan Freeman were younger, he would be a good black Paladin.

CC: I don't know anything about Val Kilmer's work habits with directors. From a fan's standpoint I enjoyed him in TOPGUN, THE SAINT, and TOMBSTONE. He is an actor that I enjoy watching and now-a-days that is becoming harder and harder to say. Smiley

A case in point about Val Kilmer was his performance in the 1996 remake of Island of Lost Souls, entitled The Island of Dr. Moraeu, in which he co-starred with Marlon Brando. Brando was being Brando with all his eccentricities and affectations. Well, Kilmer felt that if Brando could do it, so could he. He attempted to go over the top and overact and invent little pieces of business to upstage Brando. The director took him aside and quickly reminded him that they had to put up with Brando because of his screen presence, but they did not have to put up with him if he continued in his erratic behavior on the set. The first director Richard Stanley was not up to handling the actors and was fired. Experienced director John Frankenheimer was brought in and completed the film. Upon finishing the film, he declared in print that he would never work with Kilmer again due to his insane behavior while working on the movie. Similar previous behavior by Kilmer on the Batman Forever movie was commented on by director Joel Shumacher as well.

Yes, it's pretty well known how hard Kilmer is to work with in Hollywood. But, hard to work with or not, that man stole the entire TOMBSTONE epic right out from under veterans Kurt Russell and Sam Elliott. His portrayal of Doc Holliday was perhaps the best ever put on film. Now that's a fact. But the CC is also right; Kilmer has NOT been approached of late to work in anything. And the reasons being his attitudes and eccentricities. Pretty soon, whatever boxoffice draw the man had, will be gone.
But as far as Kilmer goes playing Paladin; I don't think Kilmer would be a good Paladin, and I say this in spite of my praise of his role in TOMBSTONE. I just don't think he'd be the right choice.

I have to agree with Dr. Tobor in this one instance. When I saw Tombstone, it was quite evident that Kilmer stole the picture with his flamboyant performance.
He went downhill when he felt he had the screen power to start a new film franchise based on the classic character created by Leslie Charteris: The Saint. The film was the reason he left the profitable Batman franchise and was supposed to launch a series of profitable films with him at the helm playing Simon Templar, but sadly it did not do so. When you look at his versatility in such films such as Top Gun, Heat, Top Secret, and even a George Lucas spectacular; Willow, he has nobody to blame for his unpopularity amongst the filmgmaking community but himself.

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