I disagree. I'm reading "American Assassin: A Thriller" right now. That's likely the one they've based the script on. I can definitely see Dylan O'Brien as Mitch. The book describes the character to be 23 years old (O'Brien's 24), decent build, has a slight attitude to him and is sarcastic at times (but mostly he's indifferent), and most importantly, he's a highly trained assassin that looks like an ordinary person. In the book, they make it a point that Mitch does not exude military training or even much toughness. He looks like a typical college kid. This is seen by the recruiters as an advantage, because it's imperative that he's able to blend in. Based on everything I've seen from him career wise, O'Brien fits this roll to a tee.
Side note: As I'm reading, I keep picturing Caitriona Balfe as 'Irene Kennedy.' She'd be perfect.
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EmeraldWolf
9 years ago
I see your point, I guess I misread the part about his build, it's been awhile since I read it, I just remembered it describing him as being better than a decent build given his athletic background as a star lacrosse player. And I took the doesn't military part to mean that he doesn't have any training so he doesn't look like a soldier in the sense that he lacks the "hyper awareness" and look that they have. If you're right than I guess I could see better see it.
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TeeFilms
9 years ago
Since the announcement of his attachment to this film, a lot of people have been worried about his physicality, but Dylan O'Brien isn't exactly a weakling. Since he started the Maze Runner films, he's filled out quite a bit. And I'm sure he'll continue to, in preparation for this role (as much as he can considering he's still technically in recovery).
I noticed the trivia for American Assassin on this website says that they originally offered the role to Chris Hemsworth, but he rejected it. If we're going by descriptions of Mitch in the first book, I think it would have been pretty terrible casting, had Hemsworth accepted.
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snappy_matt
9 years ago
From what I've read about the character I couldn't really imagine Chris Hemsworth playing the role either. But I am sure I read somewhere that Hemsworth has Vince Flynn's personal approval to play the role at one point, I assume when they were going to film one of the stories that's later in the timeline. So maybe Hemsworth is closer to Flynn's vision. Not sure if any Vince Flynn experts on here can shed any more light?
_____
Life is full of misery, loneliness and suffering - and it’s all over much too soon - Woody Allen
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aryadne
9 years ago
are the books any good? Or are they something very similar to James Bond?
just curious. came here as a fan of Dylan to see what this movie was about and it seems to be in the same category as 007 movies.
i'm actually curious about how dylan will be in an action movie. if the character is supposed to have an attitude problem and be sarcastic, we know that he can definately pull it off. indiference as well because when he played the bad guy he was definately indiferent...and creepy.
as an action actor, unless you're counting all the running he's done in the maze runner, he hasn't given us as much so i'm actually looking forward to it :)
but are the books any good? if they are, i'd like to read them before watching the movie.
Who needs a signature?!
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eahmouse
9 years ago
Like you I am a DOB fan. I think he is a great actor and am reading the Mitch Rapp books to see if I think he is a good fit for the role. The books are OK but not great in my opinion. I wouldn't still be reading them if it weren't for my wanting to visualize Dylan in the role. But, these aren't the kinds of books I tend to read. So if this is the kind of stuff you like, you might think the books are really good.
The character does not have an attitude problem and he is not sarcastic. I guess you could say he is indifferent. Not really indifferent but he keeps his emotions inside. I was hoping this movie would be a springboard for Dylan but I don't know. I think he's very talented but this character seems quite boring to me so no matter how good Dylan is, I just don't know if this movie is going to show his talent. I hope the screenwriter(s) give Mitch a little more personality so Dylan will have something to work with! The character does seem to have a little more personality in the later books in the timeline but in American Assassin? not so much.
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eahmouse
9 years ago
Oh, and another thing. I find it kind of funny that, in the books, they keep talking about this legendary Mitch Rapp and keep talking about his reputation as the best assassin blah, blah, blah... but in the actual stories he doesn't seem to do THAT much! idk - I find it kinda funny :)
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