Ben Walker In 'Paradise Lost': Archangel Michael Role Vs. Bradley Cooper's Lucifer

Something about Benjamin Walker just screams "noble savior."

The titular star of the upcoming zombie history spoof, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Deadline reports that Walker's next role will take him from the United States' Civil War to the great Angelic War, as he is close to nabbing the part of the Archangel Michael in the upcoming big screen adaptation of John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost."

Once he signs the dotted line, Walker will join Bradley Cooper in what promises to be a visually breathtaking motion-capture film. Cooper, as he confirmed to The Huffington Post, is due to play the role of the rebelling and fallen angel Lucifer, who leads an army against God's own forces. Walker's Archangel Michael, once Lucifer's great friend, helps leads God's forces in the war with the rebel devil, clashing with Lucifer and slashing him with a sword designed by the heavenly father.

"His deal isn't closed yet, but I think there's a wonderful duality about Ben's persona, this combination of great strength and perfect innocence that works so well for Michael," director Alex Proyas told Deadline.

Cooper is beyond excited for the role.

"We’ve been doing motion capture tests all of this week," he told BleedingCool.com in a recent interview. "It’s full on, the deals are done. We’re testing out different rigs. We did this one scene where Lucifer lands and talks to the minions. Alex Proyas is wonderful… it’s exciting. We start shooting in January. I can’t wait."

Aside from "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Walker starred on Broadway in the revival of "Inherit The Wind," and the hit, "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson," and has had small roles in major films "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Kinsey," in which he depicted the lead as a young man. He's led, "The War Boys," an immigration drama with Peter Gallagher, and played a role in the Daniel Boone TV movie, "Westward!"

Here's the official log line for "Paradise Lost"; click over to /Film for concept art, and Deadline for more on the casting.

Lucifer and Michael, God’s greatest archangels, share the bond of extraordinary friendship until God produces his greatest creation: Man. Unable to remain subservient to God if it means bowing down to humanity, Lucifer begins his dark descent and is cast out – only to plot his revenge.

Comments

[PiperSniper]

11:39 AM on 08/05/2011

Well thanks alot HP ... I never did finish the damned book and now you've just ruined the end.

[Hickspy]

10:51 AM on 08/05/2011

This movie could be great, and it could draw everyone in immediately if they craft a truly powerful opening scene where Lucifer is cast out.

Don't do something stupid like having Lucifer be all snooty at someone playing God for the first 20 minutes.

[Dawn Castle]

04:11 PM on 08/04/2011

loved the book! can't wait for the movie.

[threnodymarch]

02:04 PM on 08/04/2011

I hope this is an actual adaptation of Paradise Lost and not a Hollywood adaptation of Paradise Lost. I'm a little skeptical, just because Milton is very heavy and very dense so it's easy to see how easily Hollywood could dumb it down. We'll see.

[kenny356]

01:53 PM on 08/04/2011

Motion capture, makes me think about Mars needs Moms.

[Hickspy]

10:50 AM on 08/05/2011

You mean "Mars Needs to Read about the Uncanny Valley"?

[keene]

01:15 PM on 08/04/2011

"Unable to remain subservient to God if it means bowing down to humanity, Lucifer begins his dark descent and is cast out – only to plot his revenge." Sounds like the neo-cons

[Mundane Egg]

12:39 PM on 08/04/2011

As in Milton's work the Devil will be the better part.

[c-tom]

11:16 AM on 08/04/2011

Take a long winded religious poem add Hollywood, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

[yaaah69]

10:58 AM on 08/04/2011

Well with the new technology the films have this could be a really epic battle.

[littlepuffycloud]

10:57 AM on 08/04/2011

I hope the Lucifer wears something tight..

[Stephen Linskey]

10:37 AM on 08/04/2011

Ok, now lets get LIAM NEESON AS GOD and we can make this movie TRULY EPIC!!! RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!

[shillywilly92]

09:37 PM on 08/04/2011

Idk if I would have God be played by someone at all, I'd be up for them using Liam Neeson's voice. Ben Walker as Michael should battle Cooper's Lucifer directly, while Neeson gives command as judgment through a light or something like that.

[enkidu360]

02:53 AM on 08/06/2011

Everyone knows that Morgan Freeman is G-d.

[Sally1952]

10:10 AM on 08/04/2011

I'd love to do some devilish things with Bradley Cooper! Those blue eyes....

[lcyrose]

12:20 PM on 08/04/2011

BC is rather.....sexyish/devilish

[bearchao]

10:47 AM on 08/04/2011

SPAM.... FLAGGED

[we-r-stardust]

11:11 AM on 08/04/2011

SPAM....FLAGGED

[Ponderus]

09:58 AM on 08/04/2011

Beyond parody.

[CAMBEL]

09:43 AM on 08/04/2011

3rd Bradley Cooper article of the week. Seriously, these paid promotions are just getting weird.