Watch the (unsatisfactory, in my opinion) test footage James Franco shot for Blood Meridian here:
http://www.indiewire.com/2014/07/watch-james-francos-32-minute-test-reel-for-cormac-mccarthys-blood-meridian-with-dave-franco-luke-perry-more-274289/#ooid=F4M3QybzqhaEmlZ0kNL1MwbUFmtrJfMo
Even though as you say it was 'unsatisfactory', I did enjoy watching it, somewhat.
Terrible casting though, the kid should be much younger, and the Judge taller and more imposing. And what's up with the terrible lighting and shaky camera?
Mateo Gil (Blackthorn), John Hillcoat (The Proposition), the Coen Bros (True Grit, No Country for Old Men) or even someone like Tommy Lee Jones (The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada) would be a better choice for director imo. Anyone but Franco.
I admit I enjoyed it too. It's nice to see part of this story put on film even if it's not exactly what you were hoping for.
I agree the kid should be younger. The Judge larger and more imposing, not to mention I was annoyed that Franco had the Judge speaking in a rustic backwoods vernacular. The Judge should come across as very articulate and cultured. The costuming put me off as well, but maybe that's not fair, as Franco apparently paid for the shoot out of his own pocket. The gang should have been wearing buckskins and not the "cowboy style" clothing they wore in this clip.
This footage also had a very claustrophobic feel to me. Blood Meridian should be done in a very expansive outdoor style. I am thinking along the lines of John Ford or David Lean.
The Coens are my current favorite for director, followed by Inarritu.
Judge Holden: Clancy Brown or Val Kilmer (if health issues allow)
John Glanton: Josh Brolin
The Kid: an unknown. Should look like a young Matt Dillon or Jackie Earl Haley. Kind of redneck and brutal.
Tobin: Scott Glenn did a great job in Franco's clip, and was a highlight, in my opinion.
Toadvine: Franco is very attached to this project, and as a consolation prize, I would allow him to be Toadvine. I think he would do a fine job.
Great choices, I agree with all of them, especially Clancy Brown as the Judge. He was great in Carnivale, one of my old time favourite shows. Oh and we need to definitely keep Scott Glenn as Tobin, I agree, he was good.
Yes, 'the kid' needs to be an unknown. They should start the auditions already . lol
Oh, okay, if we must let's keep Franco as Toadvine, as long as he also produces the film and gets things rolling, but I don't want him anywhere near the director's chair!