[Theepistle] Simon Templar & Michael Westin & Misc.

[Ian Dickerson]

I think the comparisons between Michael Westen and Simon Templar stem from
the fact that both are singular heroes--admittedly with folks around
them--who help people in need. And whilst the voice overs in Burn Notice
aren't terribly sardonic or witty, it does help the comparison, particularly
to the 1960s Saint show.

Hustle's not defunct. Series 6 is currently being filmed for transmission
next year and there's a movie script doing the rounds as well.

One reason this pilot has taken so long is because the producer's are keen
to get it right and revert back to aspects of the original character so
rather than have him as a man of the world playboy type, have him as a Robin
Hood who's not afraid to clean up the gene pool when it needs doing.

John Barrowman's name was mentioned in the early days of casting the Saint
but failed partly because he has a different profile in the UK than he does
in the US. I'm guessing most Americans know him from Torchwood and only
Torchwood, whereas in the UK he's become Mr Light Entertainment,
particularly on a Saturday night, whereupon if there's a show that involves
singing and/or dancing you can guarantee he'll be on it. It doesn't detract
from his ability as an actor but it does color the perception somewhat.

But what sunk his chances was that Sony, who are distributing the pilot,
wanted an actor with a bigger profile Stateside, and that's who we've got...

Ian
2009/8/4 Dick Lochte <dlochte at gmail.com>

>  I'm not sure I see a direct similarity between the characters of Michael
> Westin and Simon Templar, though I do sense a strong Charteris influence in
> the show's scripts -- and the in the scripts for Leverage and the now
> defunct Hustle. I would hope that the plots for the new series would be more
> in the modern Robin Hood mode than the movie's screenplay. Though, frankly,
> I didn't hate the film.
>
> Regarding an actor for ST, I can't believe that no one has mentioned John
> Barrowman. The first time I saw him on Torchwood, he seemed to be the
> epitome, physically, of the character as described by LC. Now that it
> appears that he may be at liberty, except for the odd guesting on Dr. Who?,
> could there be a better choice?
>
> Dick Lochte
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* theepistle-bounces+dlochte=gmail.com at fascicle.org [mailto:
> theepistle-bounces+dlochte <theepistle-bounces%2Bdlochte>=gmail.com@
> fascicle.org] *On Behalf Of *Michael Serafin
> *Sent:* Monday, August 03, 2009 3:41 PM
> *To:* theepistle at fascicle.org
> *Subject:* [Theepistle] Simon Templar & Michael Westin & Misc.
>
>   I hope that the new Simon Templar will be on par with Michael Westin of
> "Burn Notice" in terms of  street smarts mixed with technical know-how, but
> retaining the elegant self-assuredness of Templar. Michael Westin certainly
> has the first two, but sorely lacks the third.
>
> I'm currently playing "catch-up" with "Burn Notice", as I am halfway
> through the Season 2 DVD set, and have not seen any of the current season.
> There is a wonderful article on the Saint website comparing Templar and
> Westin. Anyone else besides me watching "Burn Notice"?
>
> And when will "Return Of The Saint" be available on DVD in the USA?
>
> Michael Serafin
> Chicopee, MA.
>
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