I'd love to see Liam Neeson as Bowen. Patrick Read Johnson wanted an English cast from the get-go. He thought Liam was perfect for the role of Bowen as he's someone who could be funny yet brooding, and able to pull off the dramatic moments. Universal however didn't think he was 'action hero material' since he worked on "Darkman" at the time. I bet they've been eating their words about him ever since he did "Taken."
I heard that Kenneth Branagh or another English actor was going to be Einon. Branagh even wanted to star in the film as well as direct it when Universal kicked Patrick Read Johnson off the project. As for Dina Meyers replacing Elizabeth Hurley, Johnson was like "What is this? Beverly Hills 986 A.D.?"