Deadline is reporting that The Shield/Fantastic Four/The Commish star Michael Chiklis has been cast as "the villain" in Taylor Hackford's upcoming Parker film based on the brilliant series by Richard Stark. Chiklis can definitely do scary and I can easily see him going up against Jason Statham's Parker. But I still want to know what this movie is going to be; another adaptation of The Hunter? Is it Flashfire like once rumored? Or something wholly original; just stealing Stark's character? Taylor Hackford is still the x-factor. I don't like him as choice of director. And the rumors of Jennifer Lopez joining the cast have me fearing the worst. I so want this to be the start of some demented franchise, but the chances of that are extremely unlikely. Plus, let's not get ahead of ourselves Brad, let's have one decent Parker film first.
I really shouldn't love this poster as much as I do, but I am incredibly excited to see these three guys shoot-it-out on the big screen this fall. Of course, I had the same sort of built-up excitement for Clive Owen's Shoot Em Up and that managed to incredibly disappoint.
Not based on the ridiculous Sam Peckinpah/James Caan Evil Ninja movie of the same name, this incarnation of The Killer Elite stems from Ranulph Fiennes' novel The Feather Men and stars the high voltage Jason Statham and the paycheck casher Robert De Niro vs. the mustached Clive Owen. Get ready to have your hurricaned rocked by the trailer below, and watch for that 56 second mark where De Niro preps for jacket-less action.
The wonderfully obsessed website, The Violent World of Parker claims to have learned from "a reliable source" that the upcoming Taylor Hackford/Jason Statham Parker film will be based on the novel Flashfire, published in 2000 its one of the later novels that I haven't quite reached yet. It appears to be a bank heist book with heaps of double-crossing. Sounds good. The 90s resurrection of Parker is most curious to me and I am anxiously awaiting the point in which I pass Butcher's Moon and move on to Comeback. Does Stark/Parker still got it after a 23 year absence?
But that's neither here nor there. I am happy to hear that it's an adaptation and not an original Hollywood concoction. Although, Statham is hardly my perfect choice for Parker he can make the beast work. Fingers crossed.
That's right! According to Joblo.com, action star badass Jason Statham (The Transporter, Crank, Death Race) has been cast as the title character in the upcoming Parker movie based on my beloved Richard Stark novels.
Now, before I even comment about the casting choice I have to comment on the movie's title: Parker. As stated in an earlier post, Parker has never appeared on screen under that name. Stark (aka Donald Westlake) always insisted that the films not use the name unless they were going to do a series. Of course, now that Westlake has shuffled off this mortal coil, his estate doesn't need to bother with such pleasantries. Or could we possibly be seeing further Parker adventures from Statham? I'm guessing that's putting the cart before the horse.
So, do I like Statham for Parker? Hmmmm, sure. As seen in the Crank films and the more recent Mechanic, Statham can play the brute well and that's essential for portraying Parker's cold mentality. I don't think that Statham will have much need for his kungfuery, since when Parker strikes he usually just needs one bullet or a strong pair of mitts.
If anything, what makes me nervous is this write-up in Variety:
"Pic, based on the book series by Donald Westlake, revolves around a thief who, though at times is forced to be a killer, still lives by a code of honor that includes never stealing money from people who need it. His word is his bond, and if he is crossed he will strike back relentlessly."
Um, "code of honor" and "never stealing from people who need it." Ok, sure, Parker does have a personal Code, but they make it sound like he's got a heart of gold or something. That sure as hell ain't the case. His code is that he does as little as possible to get away with the money. He's professional. If he has to kill a kid and bury him in the basement, well, he'll kill a kid and bury him in the basement (and yes, that is something Parker has had to do). He's not honorable and he sure as hell will steal from people who need it.
Also, Taylor Hackford is attached to direct. Love Ranch, Ray, The Devil's Advocate, White Nights, An Officer and a Gentleman. All fine films, but is this the eye I would want behind the first film allowed to use the name Parker? No way.
Another Passage from Variety: "'I don't want to get stuck in a genre,' Hackford told Variety. 'What I like the most about this piece of material is that you can take a genre piece like this and turn it into a great movie.'" Not very inspiring.
Still, I have a huge man-crush on Statham. And, like I said, I do think he can pull off Parker's cold brute force nature. And of course I will get excited for any new film having the slightest to do with the Stark novels.
But, I am concerned. Taylor Hackford is a decent, but uninspired director. And what's the script going to be like? Is Parker another remake of The Hunter? Is it one of the other books: The Score? The Mourner? Butcher's Moon? Or is it some random scriptwriter's idea of Parker? That makes me the most nervous.
