There’s been a lot of news about the upcoming Parker movie over the past couple of months. I’ve broken a little of it here, but most of it I get the same way everyone else does–through (sometimes conflicting) press accounts. Now I see everything (well, most things) written about it because it’s my job, but I understand that not all of you read every blog post and follow every link on the Twitter feed, so I thought now might be a good time to drum up a summary post on The Saga Thus Far.
Here is what we know:
- The movie will be called Parker. The character will, for the first time on film, be called “Parker.” Movie titles are always subject to change, of course, but for now, it’s called Parker.
- The movie will be based on Flashfire.
- It is promised that the filmmakers are trying to hew close to the literary character.
- Jason Statham is set to star.
- Michael (“The Shield”) Chiklis is set to play the antagonist.
- Taylor (Ray) Hackford is the director.
- Jennifer Lopez is in talks to play the main female character, Lesley.
- Also cast are Wendell Pierce and Clifton Collins Jr.
- It is written by John McLaughlin, who wrote the screenplay for Black Swan.
- It will be filmed in New Orleans. Shooting is scheduled to begin July 18th, for seven weeks.
- Parker will be distributed in the US by FilmDistrict.
And I believe that’s all we know. If you know anything of interest that you would like to share, feel free to contact me via the link in the right sidebar.
Reported but not confirmed: “Word is that the…script jumps off from a number of Stark’s novels to create a new story. The debut novel The Hunter (’62) and later novel Flashfire (’00) are said to be part of the ingredient list.” Hard to know what to make of this. It doesn’t jibe with what I’ve heard. My guess is that Flashfire is far and away the primary source, and maybe elements of other novels are used to fill in a little backstory. Or it could all just be horsefeathers.
For the record, I’ll be avoiding spoilers at this site. This is for your sake, dear readers, but also for mine–I want to come at the movie just as fresh as any other fan. If I come across a leaked script, I won’t be reading it until long after the movie is in theaters, and I’ll be trying to avoid reading articles or blog posts that seem likely to give things away. So have no fear when you visit here!
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The original title for Brian Helgeland’s original script for PAYBACK was actually PARKER. The Straight-Up Director’s Cut of that move is great, and a terrific interpretation of “The Hunter;” easily one of the top three best movie adaptation of a Parker novel in addition to “Point Blank” and “The Outfit”.
JGA
Howdy. I got word from a friend who works in film production in NOLA that the new official start date is August 8.
I just can’t get over how terrible a choice Jason Statham is for the role of Parker. He’s established himself in too many awful D grade action movies to be taken seriously for something like this. Never thought I’d say it, but Mel Gibson was actually a better choice than Statham. How on earth didn’t they pick Jon Hamm for the role? He seems like the ideal choice. Anyway, add Michael Chiklis (I know I’m in the minority, but I couldn’t stand The Shield) and now “JLo” and it looks like I’ll wait til this movie shows up on cable before I take a look. Flashfire is such a good book, especially Parker’s various money runs in the early chapters, that I’d hate to see them ruin it with mediocre talent. Sorry, but that’s my 2 cents.
I’m hoping for the best with this adaptation. I’ll be there opening night and hopefully I’ll like what I see. Under Hackford’s direction, maybe Statham will knock it out of the park. I agree Statham has been in some really dumb films, but that doesn’t mean this film will be the same. I would hope other Stark fans will go see it in the theaters, because if it IS good, it will do well financially and there will be more.
Hamm is a fine choice for Parker. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll see him have a crack at the part.
Brian De Palma had been developing this film with the screenwriter John McLaughlin for about a year before Taylor Hackford took it on.
Belatedly responding–DePalma would have made a different movie, and probably a better one. But he’s not exactly at the peak of his career either. Why keep handing Parker to a bunch of has-beens and never was-es? Quentin Tarantino is an ardent Richard Stark fan. He would have made something unique to him, but still true to the ethos and style of Parker. And he wouldn’t have been adapting the weakest novel of the bunch. But of course he doesn’t work that often.
Point is, DePalma used to make decent crime flicks, like “Carlito’s Way”. Hackford has never made a film in this genre before. Ever. Unless you count this one–
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_In_Blood_Out
Does anybody there know how to play this game?
;)
Saw the trailer today and all my fears posted above so long ago have been confirmed. This movie looks like utter crap and nothing like what Parker means to so many.
You called it, David. Statham can be good in certain types of roles, but he’s always been a bit of a lightweight in the acting department. He doesn’t know how to transform himself into a different person–he just plays variations of the same character he’s been playing since “The Transporter”, which happens to be a good movie that I enjoy watching on cable now and again. But that movie had a vision, however predictable, and this movie looks like a jumble of poorly understood components. If you want to make a Jason Statham movie, why use a Parker novel (or several) as its basis, when the general aesthetic is so different?
With the right director, and a solid adaptation, the Statham of ten years ago could have handled this okay, I think. Nothing amazing, but he’d have been halfway credible. Now he’s so locked into his onscreen persona that he can’t play anything else. And nobody would let him anyway. Why should they? “The Bank Job” barely broke even at the box office, and would have done about the same (or better) with any number of better-trained British actors.
Once you pick a guy like this, you’re stuck in a certain groove.
Obviously the above poster is not me, as I’ve sworn to withhold judgement until after I see the film. But I’ll make sure to post as “Dave” and not David so as not to confuse people.
And before anyone takes anything personally, allow me to state I respect those who feel, based on the track records of those involved, this film will not pass muster. I have doubts myself. I have a hard time seeing Statham as Parker to begin with. To hear some folks say he will be remembered as THE Parker after this is hard to swallow, but you know, odder things have happened.
Sean Connery was widely reviled when it was announced he was playing Bond–even by Ian Fleming. But after the premiere, Fleming was so taken by Connery’s performance he even made Bond partly Scottish, in honor of him.
You never know.
Yeah, the only reason I’ve thought about requiring registration is so that I can distinguish between those of you with common names!
You could just noodge us all to get icons. You could start by telling us how to do that. ;)
With you all the way I help out in a charity shop and oboviusly some of the people who come in are disadvantaged in one way or another but the worst offender is a fellow-volunteer. I don’t think she knows the words soap, bath, shower or deodorant. The stink is unbelievable and makes me feel physically sick I also rush home to have a shower when I’ve been working with her, just in case it’s catching
I can do that!
https://en.gravatar.com/
Let me test this Gravatar thing. I had to change my preferred name from Clue to cluelo but…here goes!
Ok…it worked! Thanks Trent!
Dammit, Clue, are we two handsome devils or what?!
I hope everybody here uses a pic as their avatar; I’ve been communicating with people for years and have no idea what they look like!;-) lol
iam happy when i have finished putintg up my Christmas tree and i sit and look at every decoration and remember when they were bought, given, who by and what they mean to me now. after running wildly around my garden in a huge downpour and then sitting with a cup of tea.