Why Zeus? Why Stark? Why Sean?

Have you wondered lately why Sean Bean was selected to play Zeus in Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief or to play Lord Eddard (Ned) Stark in HBO's pilot for Game of Thrones? or for Pyke and Reese in CASH? Why has Bean been chosen for these particular roles?

Why Zeus?

To many women in the world Sean Bean is a Greek God. So it was really no surprise that he was selected to play Zeus in Percy Jackson. If you add to that his powerful and very “godlike” deep voice there was no one else they could have selected. Zeus is describe as “king of the gods, the god of sky and weather, law, order and fate, a regal man…” who also seduced women “…in the form of a swan; a bull; a golden shower; and a satyr…” It had to be Sean, the man who seduced Lady Chatterley playing Game Keeper Mellors , playing the part of this mythical lover and god. (The movie is based on a children's book, so we may not see all facets of Zeus in this role). Sean Bean is also one of the few men in this world that can look extremely masculine and dangerous wearing a “skirt”, something we have proof of from the movie Troy. In Troy he played another Greek legend, Odysseus, to perfection and garnered many accolades for his performance as this trickster and traveler.

Chris Columbus, the Director of Percy Jackson, explained in a recent interview why he selected Sean Bean as Zeus :

“I had such a terrific experience working with British actors. It wasn’t just necessarily that they were all Brits; it was a matter of finding who would be believable as gods.

They had to have an other-worldly quality about them. People like Sean Bean, Kevin McKidd and Pierce Brosnan all seem to exist in this world, and also in another world as well. It is hard to explain. I just believe that Brits have been around forever.” To read the entire interview go to:
http://www.nst.com.my/




Why Ned Stark?

Sean Bean will prove to be the perfect selection for Lord Eddard (Ned) Stark if a pilot based on George RR Martin’s book A Game of Thrones, part of his great fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire, becomes an HBO series. Ned is a good hearted and honorable man tossed into a nest of human vipers . He comes from the land of Winterfell, a harsh and cold land, and many think the Starks are also harsh and cold. Ned Stark is also a leader of men, a tested warrior, who is loyal to the men who serve him, and loyal to lifelong friends like the monarch of this mythical land of Westeros, Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy). Sean is perfect for this role because he has played similar men with many of the same human layers; for example Richard Sharpe in the Sharpe series and Boromir in Lord of the Rings. But as Ned he also has to be a tender father to his children, especially to two girls. A father of girls fits Sean Bean entirely too well, since in real life he is the father of three lovely daughters. He is one of those rare actors who can wear chain mail and sword onscreen and look to all the world like those are the clothes he wears weekends at home.

Sean as an actor is a man for all times, and for mythical and real kingdoms and he will surprise many that know only his Hollywood bad guy roles with his range and versatility. The author of this fantasy series is on record as saying "he couldn't imagine a better Ned" than Sean Bean. If the series is picked up by HBO, Sean Bean will be Lord of the Fantasy Series World.

Why Norway??

We interrupt this article for news of a new brave warrior role for CASH star Sean Bean:

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/rogaland/1.6954171

If you don't read Norwegian the article is about a new movie Sean will be filming soon in Norway called "The Age of Heroes". Right now news of the film seems to come only from the Norwegian press, and from interviews with Sean's co-star in the film, fellow British actor Danny Dyer. The film is set in World War II. Sean Bean and Danny Dyer also co-starred recently in the UK film Outlaw. (Article link thanks to Toastie on TMB).

Why Pyke and Reese?

For the answer to that question look for the imminent release of The Film CASH.

By Myriam

A Whole Lotta Bean Slated for 2010!

Sean Bean has always had the mettle to show us what he’s got in terms of acting chops. The versatile actor has played many different parts over the years from the dirtiest low down villains to the most heroic of men… From the venomous rage of an Irish terrorist in Patriot Games to the heroic Boromir in Lord of the Rings, he can take us from the depths of hatred to the most courageous moments in a leader’s heart.

With several new projects set for release this year, Sean Bean is coming to the cinema with a vengeance in a variety of roles. Of course we have our own highly anticipated psychological thriller CASH which we expect to be released in the next several weeks. We will be treated to two versions of Bean in this suspenseful story of man who wants payback in the most sinister of ways.

IFC Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the dark and gritty The Red Riding Trilogy, starring Sean Bean in his critically acclaimed role as shady real estate developer John Dawson. Paddy Considine and Steven Morrissey also star in the British noir series of three fictionalized accounts of the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper, a brutal serial killer that stalked the Yorkshire area of England in the 1970s and 1980s. IFC Films will roll out in American theaters and on VOD in early February.

Then on February 10^th, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief will be released theatrically in the United States. Based on the hugely successful series of Fantasy Adventure books by Richard Riordan, Sean has the plummy role of Zeus, alongside such acting stalwarts as Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman. Someone has stolen Zeus’ thunderbolt and Percy sets out to find out whom. I don’t know about you, but one thing I’ve learned about Bean in his films; Don’t make him angry.

Also set for release in May is the film Black Death, starring Bean as Ulric, a fearsome knight who with his group of mercenaries is led by a young monk (Eddie Remayne) to a remote marsh where their quest is to hunt down a necromancer - someone able to bring the dead back to life. Once again, Bean will don the chain mail to bring down evil and we all know how menacing he can be when faced with a worthy nemesis.

And lastly, Sean Bean has just finished filming a pilot for Game of Thrones for HBO based on the massively successful medieval fantasy television series based on author George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. The project is in the process of being greenlit and rumor has it that it will very likely get the nod from the heads at HBO to film a further 11 episodes that could start as soon as March 2011. This series has all the hallmarks of a hugely successful series with Bean in the lead as Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. Jennifer Ehle Mark Addy and Peter Dinklage also star. Nearly everyone involved with the series agrees that Bean is perfectly cast as Ned Stark, the noble and just leader of the Stark Family who leads them through confrontations involving intrigue, politics and traitors galore. This is a role where Sean will get to show off his considerable ability to portray a strong, heroic leader; a man to root for, to believe in, to champion.

Which brings us back to our personal excitement for the impending release of CASH since Bean is playing the roles of twins for the first time in his career and gets to run the psychological gamut in Steven Milburn Anderson’s newest film. The trailers have shown we will be treated to several sides of Bean as he slips seamlessly from being friendly, generous and helpful to a man driven to manipulating and controlling a decent suburban couple, (Chris Hemsworth and Victoria Profeta) all in the almighty name of Money.

Love or hate the characters Bean plays, chances are you always believe him. CASH promises to be an exciting opportunity for both!