The BNH view: while last year’s JOHN CARTER signaled the 100th anniversary of the work of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, he is best known for one of the most enduring characters in Hollywood – TARZAN! It’s been quite a few years since the Lord of Jungle last appeared on the big screen, but word is that HARRY POTTER director, David Yates, is putting together a new TARZAN and that currently, TRUE BLOOD hunk,Alexander Skarsgard, is getting ready to star.
Whaaa….. now there’s no denying Skarsgard’s magnetism and hot bod, but let’s back up a bit. Skarsgard is 36 years old! According to Burrough’s novel, Tarzan (young British Lord Greystoke) was a feral child raised in the jungle. By the time he meets Jane, he’s in his late teens. So why does Hollywood insist on casting older? Skargard himself is a TV star and not really a box office draw. His last 2 major studio releases – BATTLESHIP and STRAW DOGS – both underperformed.
Since young Lord Greystoke is supposed to be of English aristocratic stock, may we suggest a couple young Brit actors like Aaron Johnson or Alex Pettyfer – 2 intense guys with abs and attitude? Either one of the Aussie Hemsworth brothers? If I had a time travel machine, I would cast Daniel Day Lewis thinking back to his ferocious performance in LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Better still, why not cast an unknown?
Who do you think should be TARZAN? The basic qualifications – Caucasian, ripped bod, not afraid of minimal wardrobe, and the ability to deliver gutteral dialogue without being laughed at. And before you fantasy cast Channing Tatum, the current Sexiest Man Alive is already 32! By the way, TARZAN is a role that doesn’t guarantee a Hollywood career. 
Classic Tarzan Johnny Weissmuller failed to break free from typecasting, and past Tarzans Christopher Lambert and Casper Van Dien have donned the loin cloth without electrifying the screen. Ironically, it was Disney’s animated TARZAN that was a hit at the box office and spurred a Broadway live action production. Nevertheless, like Batman and Superman, Tarzan is a classic movie screen hero and it’d be great if Hollywood cast this much missed franchise properly.
Our Brave New Hollywood favorite Tarzans:
Best TV Tarzan – Ron Ely who’s series ran for 4 years.
Best Movie Tarzan – Johnny Weismuller, who starred in 12 Tarzan movies and defined the franchise during the golden era of Hollywood.
Most recent attempts: Tarzan TV series in 2003, starring former Australian hunk Travis Fimmel. Great choice in casting, not-so-great re-vamp.
CLICK HERE for the official site of author Edgar Rice Burroughs.