Is James Franco an acceptable substitute for Jude Law? That is the question that director Werner Herzog might very well be asking himself right now, as his next narrative film Queen Of The Desert founders just a wee bit.
Queen Of The Desert was all set to star Naomi Watts, Robert Pattinson,and Jude Law, in the tale of Gertrude Bell, a British writer and archaeologist who also worked as a spy. She was responsible for establishing the dynasty in contemporary Jordan and influenced the founding of Iraq. Along with T.E. Lawrence, she was among the more influential British imperial figures in the Arabic world at the time – and certainly one of the most influential women in the world.
Queen Of The Desert has run into scheduling conflicts, however, as Jude Law recently stated that he would likely be unable to do the film due to other roles. Enter – maybe – James Franco, who is not signed just yet but is in talks to replace Law. There’s no direct word on what part Franco would play, but he’s certainly an … odd choice to replace Jude Law.
I am always 100% behind just about anything that Werner Herzog wants to do, so if he thinks that James Franco will be an adequate replacement for Law, then more power to him. Queen Of The Desert is a subject- matter that is simply written for Herzog’s love of the wilderness, as well as his recognition of just how cruel and unforgiving the relationship between nature and humanity can be. I’d certainly rather see his interpretation than Ridley Scott’s, who is also planning a Gertrude Bell project with Angelina Jolie.
What do you think? Can James Franco hope to replace Jude Law in Queen Of The Desert? And just what is Robert Pattinson doing in the desert? Won’t they all burn? Let us know in the comments.