Hero cave diver on Colin Farrell playing him in movie and how he saved Thai children

[webfact]

 

Graeme Culliford

 

HE is the fearless cave diver who put his life on the line to save a dozen Thai children and their football coach trapped deep underground for 17 days.

 

But modest John Volanthen was disappointed to learn Colin Farrell will play him in director Ron Howard’s new movie about the rescue.

 

The Bristol-based IT consultant and divorced dad of one reckons Rowan Atkinson — as bumbling Mr Bean — is more suited to his nerdy look.

 

And he had never heard of the Irish A-lister Colin. In an exclusive interview, John reveals just how close the Thai lads were to not making it out alive.

 

John and the divers were honoured by a Thailand minister. Credit: Viral Press

 

He also opens up about his lengthy Zoom calls with heart-throb Colin, 44, a father of two. John, 49, told The Sun: “Ron Howard told me Colin Farrell was playing me last autumn while we were chatting over Zoom. I’m not a great movie buff, so I had no idea who he was.

 

“I originally asked, partly in jest, for Rowan Atkinson. He wears glasses and he’s a laugh — I was thinking Mr Bean — it seemed like a good fit. But Ron made it very clear he wasn’t making that type of movie.

 

Full story: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15031894/cave-diver-thailand-colin-farrell-movie/

 

-- © Copyright The Sun 2021-05-27

 

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[lujanit]

I hope this film is better than the documentary on Netflix.  That doco was just a piece of US self promotion saying the US effectively saved the boys.  A final nod is given to an Australian doctor in the last line.

 

What utter garbage.  Look it up yourself on Netflix.

[northsouthdevide]

What happened to T. V's policy on only allowing links from credible news outlets? ????

I wonder who's going to play Elon Musk?

My moneys on Jim Carey.

[Somtamnication]

Saddened that Howard did not call me! Anyways, good job and hope the movie is truer to life than anything else, including coach stupidity.

[hotandsticky]

1 hour ago, lujanit said:

I hope this film is better than the documentary on Netflix.  That doco was just a piece of US self promotion saying the US effectively saved the boys.  A final nod is given to an Australian doctor in the last line.

 

What utter garbage.  Look it up yourself on Netflix.

 

 

 

I haven't seen that....but I thought "The Cave" (2019) was credible.

Edited May 27, 2021 by hotandsticky

[cmarshall]

Too bad the director is that tired hack, Ron Howard.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“I originally asked, partly in jest, for Rowan Atkinson. He wears glasses and he’s a laugh — I was thinking Mr Bean — it seemed like a good fit. But Ron made it very clear he wasn’t making that type of movie.

Should have brought in "Eddie the eagle"

[Kiwithl]

Opie.

[colinneil]

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

 

I haven't seen that....but I thought "The Cave" (2019) was credible.

Colin Farrell was extremely lucky to get that role, as Hotandsticky auditioned for the part, but was sadly rejected, as no diving gear suitable was available.????????????????????

[bluesofa]

This is the first time I've heard about this version.

I can't see a release date, but there's a wiki entry about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Lives 

[KC 71]

Last time i spoke with Vern Unsworth , he said there were maybe a couple of movies in the process of signing for the go - ahead.

I haven't seen him for a few months now though.

[hotandsticky]

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

Colin Farrell was extremely lucky to get that role, as Hotandsticky auditioned for the part, but was sadly rejected, as no diving gear suitable was available.????????????????????

 

 

Now then, now then !!!  ????

 

I am quite grateful that on this occasion they could not find a suitable size........ you would not have got me down there for all the tea in China.

 

 

Full marks, and utmost respect, to all involved in that successful rescue mission.

[daveAustin]

7 hours ago, lujanit said:

I hope this film is better than the documentary on Netflix.  That doco was just a piece of US self promotion saying the US effectively saved the boys.  A final nod is given to an Australian doctor in the last line.

 

What utter garbage.  Look it up yourself on Netflix.

No thanks. The yanks always do that. Remember U-571! They also think they won ww2 and built the atom bomb themselves. 

[Justgrazing]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

originally asked, partly in jest, for Rowan Atkinson. He wears glasses and he’s a laugh — I was thinking Mr Bean — it seemed like a good fit. But Ron made it very clear he wasn’t making that type of movie

 

There's enough Mr Bean characters running the show in Thailand anyway .. 

[herfiehandbag]

10 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

 

There's enough Mr Bean characters running the show in Thailand anyway .. 

I was going to suggest a suitable cameo role, playing the premier amongst VIP visitors who swung by during the rescue...

 

A prime candidate for the role!

Edited May 27, 2021 by herfiehandbag
It

[herfiehandbag]

Looking closely at the photographs on the OP, I just love the "Shaun the Sheep" tee shirt!

 

Has the fellow no idea of dressing respectfully when interacting with Thai officials?????

Edited May 27, 2021 by herfiehandbag

[bluesofa]

5 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Looking closely at the photographs on the OP, I just love the "Shaun the Sheep" tee shirt!

 

Has the fellow no idea of dressing respectfully when interacting with Thai officials?????

That's just great - superb!

I didn't notice it, but I think he extends to them the respect they deserve.

[AgMech Cowboy]

8 hours ago, lujanit said:

Look it up yourself on Netflix.

It's on Netflix. What did you expect? (I rarely watch anything they produce or direct).

[DrJack54]

All the people involved in that operation are heroes. Especially the divers. Also we should give respect to that Thai diver that lost his life. Incredibly brave crew.

Can't recall the Thai divers name. He was X military?

 

[herfiehandbag]

20 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

All the people involved in that operation are heroes. Especially the divers. Also we should give respect to that Thai diver that lost his life. Incredibly brave crew.

Can't recall the Thai divers name. He was X military?

 

Yes he was, ex Navy. A recently retired diver who volunteered to come back for the rescue.

 

At the entrance to the caves there is rather a touching statue of him, with a dozen wild boar piglets frisking around his feet - the boys' football team was called "The Wild Boars".

 

A brave man and a good way to be remembered!

[Trujillo]

As someone who does follow films, let me be clear: Ron Howard is a disaster when it comes to making movies based on an actual event. He can take the most interesting and exciting true story and for his own bizarre reasons, add fiction that makes no sense, doesn't further the movie in any way and totally ruins any factual basis for shooting the film at all. 

Don't expect there to be much in common with what actually happened other than boys stuck in a cave being rescued (if that, even). 

[Tug]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

All the people involved in that operation are heroes. Especially the divers. Also we should give respect to that Thai diver that lost his life. Incredibly brave crew.

Can't recall the Thai divers name. He was X military?

 

Spot on dr jack all were hero’s down to the lowliest tender humping bottles for the guys diving to the folks handeling the logistics and grub what a wonderful outcome and shared experience by all of us pulling from the sidelines!

[pegman]

17 hours ago, daveAustin said:

No thanks. The yanks always do that. Remember U-571! They also think they won ww2 and built the atom bomb themselves. 

In the movie Argo the CIA played the major role in a completely Canadian operation getting American embassy staff out of Iran. Jimmy Carter set the record straight stating what the real truth was.  I think Ron Howard has more integrity than Ben Affleck so should be good. The heroes of this story were the BRITs and Australians.

[faraday]

Saman Gunan

 

 

 

 

[AlexJohanson]

On 5/27/2021 at 12:06 AM, lujanit said:

I hope this film is better than the documentary on Netflix.  That doco was just a piece of US self promotion saying the US effectively saved the boys.  A final nod is given to an Australian doctor in the last line.

 

What utter garbage.  Look it up yourself on Netflix.

Well, America is the greatest country on the planet. They cured COVID and support Israel, fight arabs and did in fact save all the children. God bless America.