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Rex Mundi is a quest for the Holy Grail told as a murder mystery. It is a tale of sin, murder and magic in an alternate-history Europe where magic is real and the Catholic Church never lost its grip on power.
Doctor Julien Saunière investigates the theft of a medieval scroll from the crypt of a Paris church. He stumbles onto a series of horrific ritual murders and an ancient secret society somehow connected to the legend of the Holy Grail itself. The killers must not slip back into the shadows, or they will kill again…



This story is set in an altered world, it's characters live in a fictional 1930's Paris that we do not know. Yet we can relate to their struggles, hopes and fears. Judging by what you have read and seen in the graphic images, what are the strengths and weaknesses of Dr. Julien Saunière?

What do you think Johnny will bring to the character to make the doctor come to life?

Sauniere seems like a man who is content with his small practice but I don't think it was his first choice. Maybe it was his drinking, maybe it was politics. Maybe it was a woman. He rarely smiles. Like his life was not quite what he expected it to be.
He is very determined though to get justice for his friend's death and get to the bottom of all the hidden secrets but not in an Indiana Jones sort of way. I think all of the circumstances, although not pleasant and maybe not welcomed, have re-energized him.
Johnny has the unbelievable ability to tap into what is going on inside his characters. Like he knows there is always something underlying there, so I think he will try try project that.

First thoughts:

I think theDoctors strengths are his loyalty and his determination. Loyalty to his friends and the poor and his determination to see things through to the end. He is also intense about things - won't let go no matter what.

I would say his weakness comes from his strengths. His determination puts him in danger and sometimes stops him from planning ahead.

I think that Johnny will bring a sense of loyalty and generosity of spirit. The intensity will also be there. The next bit is harder - I think he will also be able to portray a sense of danger and doom coupled with the knowledge that he will succeed. To make the character come to life he may rely on small things - a hat and maybe some mannersisms. I need to think some more about this!

I agree that a real strength is his loyalty to his friends and the needy. He made a promise to the priest, and is determined to keep his word, despite the fact that it is turning out to be far more dangerous than he originally thought, and he cares for those who need him most, even though he stands to risk his whole career over it.

His other main main strength is, I think, also his biggest flaw. That is trust. He trusts Genevieve despite knowing her ambitions, and who she is working for. Trust is important, but oh boy, he is definately seeing her through rose coloured specs!!

I like his character, despite, or maybe because, of his problems. He is caring, and kind, and too honest for his own good.

I think Johnny would make a fantastic job of this character. There is so much he could get his teeth into. If he played Julien as he is writen in the comics, he would be good, but we know he would bring more to each characteristic, which would make it brilliant.

I am seeing a mixture here of three previous characters. Mort for the down times, Corso for the investigating, and for some reason Gene from Nick of Time, although I can't honestly say why that character has come to mind, it he just has.


Anne x

My first impression of Sauniere was that he was a lonely person with a history. We know that Johnny is good at that kind of character. I agree that his strength is in his loyalty and I'm sure that will be a strong feature of the film character. I also agree that he will probably develop a 'piece of business', whether it involves an article, like a hat, or a mannerism. Why do I see him in a long, flowing coat? :huh: Still need to think about it more ... and perhaps re-read! :lol:

Intersting thoughts everyone! I can't help but wonder how Johnny will play Julien. This is another complex character, Julien is an outcast and Johnny seems to love playing social out casts. Interesting that some of his other characters have been mentioned, Mort, Gene, and of course the one that I think is closest to this character, Dean Corso. :writing I can't help but wonder about Julien's vulnerablity and seemingly blind trust around Gen...or is it blind?.

I certainly hope it isn't blind trust, because she has him by the short hairs so far, and he seems to be oblivious.

I would love to see him show that he isn't totally taken in....but I think he is. He is too in love with the Gen of the past to see the new, ambitious, out for herself Gen. At least, that is the way I am reading it right now.

Anne x

I agree. But during that picnic in the park, she sounded like she had some regret. So maybe she's having second thoughts about the choices she made and maybe Julien senses that.

I share the same thoughts that have been expressed in the previous posts describing the character of Julien. I think Johnny will breathe life into the tortured character of Julien plus bring forth the rage Julien feels for the murder of his dear friend Father Marin. Julien has many personal problems which are complicating his life and the largest one is his love for Gen. Julien's brain recognizes that Gen wants a life in the political circles in order to gain wealth, privilege and power of which he has no desire for himself but alas his heart still desires Gen. Depp will develop a characterization which shows Julien's emotional pain and determination to find the person or force that murdered his dear friend Father Marin. I have read the 4th publication released last week and a new layer is added to the "relationship" the two main characters.

I loved reading everyone's impressions, I think I echo those comments. Personally, I definitely see bits of Johnny in Sauniere. He reminds me of being intensely loyal to those that are his friends, he doesn't play by the rules(such as his practice and helping those going against authority), and he's had a troubled past. I'm not sure if it's in the first or second book(are we discussing all three now or just the first?), but I believe he may have had an addiction to alcohol at one time?(Did anyone else see this?) So I do picture Johnny in this role, tapping into his own background to bring a lot of depth to the character of Sauniere.

I'm not sure if he's completely blinded by Gen. I think he knows she's ambitious and has taken that route for her own career----playing by the rules. I didn't get that he was totally blinded by her relationship with Lorraine, even though he still holds feelings for her.

We are discussing the books that make up the first three compilations. This question is about Sauniere as a whole. :) I think some really good impressions of Julien have been discussed so far.

The points discussed so far regarding Saunière are spot on in my opinion. He is a very dramatic man, his dress and language add a dangerous aura to him. Despite the fact that he is a doctor, I too, felt that this was just a way to make a living. He probably knows a lot about French history. He has strong loyalty towards people in his past (Father Marin and Genevieve) and loves the city as well. He is respectful of the atmosphere and history of Paris and France in general, as well as the traditions of the church and seems to want to protect the "old ways" despite the desecration of it brought on by basic greed and evil.

I'm interested in how "spellcraft" is applied. I know this is a fantasy world, but I'll be waiting to see how and who applies the spellcraft and how it works into the story.

Johnny's characterization will be based on his talents of observation, research and intutiion. His love of French history I think will play a large part in how he develops the character. I, too, can definitely see him in a long sweeping coat. Anyone see glasses on him? I think he will be a studious type of guy -- not a detective type -- but will be reluctantly pulled into the mystery. Just what I visualize.

I am waiting for the 2nd book to arrive -- possibly today. #3 came last night but I haven't a chance to read it yet. I want to read #2 first anyway.

Thanks for letting me horn in on the discussion.

Holly

Always happy to have everyone involved! The more? The merrier!

Well, I think the novels Dr. J's strengths are his height, and his dashing good looks, and an educated steady logical head on his shoulders. :D
I think *our* Dr. J can add more dashing good looks, as well as a sense of depth to the deepest darkest ambiance of the era. He will show us were to really look, and ponder the corners of the Cathedrals, so to speak. He will really get into the gist of the meaning of the outcome, if we're really watching.

I think by what we've seen so far of Julien, that we know he's after the murderer of his friend and that he's learning some "uncomfortable" things along the way. Julien is a tortured soul, or so it seems. Johnny will be able to get in this character's skin. Or so I think. ;)