Mickey Rourke has quit his role in the forthcoming Marcus Nispel remake of Conan. Scheduling conflict has forced him to abandon the film to focus on “War of Gods.”
Meanwhile, NY Magazine is reporting that Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy, Mutant Chronicles) has stepped in to replace Rourke on Conan and will play Corin, the father of Conan.
CORIN: He's in his 30s to 40s, Caucasian, powerfully built, intelligent, graceful, master swordsman, skilled blacksmith, de facto leader of Cimmerians and Conan's father. He resolves to answer the terrible request of his dying wife and cuts Conan out of her so she can see him. He then shoulders the burden of raising Conan, which proves to be daunting given the boy's savage nature. Corin teaches his son the meaning of the sword: a hot blade must be cooled and tempered. When Khalar finally corners him and tortures him to death, he shows no regret nor pain, hiding his concern for his son's safety from the eyes of the enemy.
In addition to Jason Momoa – long since cast as Conan – and Perlman, the cast of the film includes Rachel Nichols, Stephen Lang as villain Khalar Singh, Bob Sapp, Leo Howard and Said Taghmaoui.
Lionsgate starts shooting the film in Bulgaria this month.
Conan The Barbarian is slated for a 2011 release.
