James McTeigue on Conan Remake?

Last week we brought you news that Brett Ratner was officially out of the “Conan” remake. If that’s the case, then who will replace him? (I hear Uwe Boll has been burning up the phones.) According to the boys at CHUD, James McTeigue has the inside track to sit in the director’s chair, by Crom. McTeigue is no stranger to big-budget action movies, having directed “V for Vendetta” and the upcoming “Ninja Assassin”, and was also the shooter for the Wachowski Brothers’ “Matrix” movies.

But the move to “Conan”, says CHUD, would mean a big leap for McTeigue, who is used to working in the $50 million dollar budget range. The budget for “Conan”? A proposed $120 million or so. Why the hell would it cost that much to make “Conan”? No idea, but I’m assuming Ratner’s name got the budget up for whatever reason. Probably to pay for all the strippers. Not that you need $120 million to make “Conan”. How much special effects do you really need? The way to go here is old school practical effects, or no special effects at all would be even better.

In any case, that’s the rumor: James McTeigue replacing Brett Ratner on “Conan”. Now all the producers of the film need to do is get themselves a leading man who can fill Arnold’s shoes. That’s the real trick here…

Below: “Yes, that is my sword, and yes, I am happy to see you.”