As if you haven’t had enough about Steven Soderbergh’s action spy thriller “Knockout” starring Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fasssbender and Michael Douglas. Yesterday we revealed that Bill Paxton (subbing in for Dennis Quaid) and French actor/director Mathieu Kassovitz (“Amelie,” Spielberg’s “Munich”) had joined the cast that also includes Antonio Banderas, Channing Tatum and Michael Angarano.
Now the closest thing to a full synopsis has come out via the Irish Press and considering everything we’ve been told so far it’s right on the money. The Irish producer of the sequences shot in Dublin also guesses the film could spawn a franchise as apparently the conclusion is somewhat open-ended, hinting towards another installment.
The spy thriller tells the story of Mallory Kane, a freelance covert operative played by U.S. mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano, who is hired out by her handler to various global entities to perform jobs which governments can’t authorise and heads of state would rather not know about.After a mission to rescue a hostage in Barcelona, Mallory is quickly dispatched on another to Dublin where she partners up with another operative. But the operation goes awry as Mallory is double crossed, and she must use all her skills to escape an international manhunt, make it back to the U.S., protect her family, and exact revenge on those that have betrayed her.
Sounds pretty great. Especially since the chameleon-like Soderbergh has never tackled anything remotely like this. Although we’re sure the basics of this synopsis are correct, we’re told screenwriter Lem Dobbs has done a page one rewrite of the entire script.
The plot sounds like Salt w/ maybe more martial arts.
@KitCon
ditto
I think it's hilarious that this website keeps hyping this movie. It sounds about as generic as possible. It's the type of thing that you would normally piss all over, but just because "cool" Soderbergh is involved, you're jizzing all over it. Pitiful.
I disagree with Frank, sorry. I'm jizzing all over this BECAUSE Cool (no quotes) Soderbergh is involved.
What I do take issue with is the title of the post. Yes. Of course 'Knockout' could become a franchise depending on who owns the rights and most important if the film actually makes money.
It is interesting that the script leaves the possibility of sequels. But posing such a question as whether or not the film can spawn a franchise is silly. You guys know all of the factors that go into getting a sequel greenlit, so why theorize before the film's in the can? Certainly, theorize about the sequel potential because of how the script is written, but try to be more thoughtful with how you title posts. It's the equivalent of a post title "Could Seth Rogen Act In More Movies?" Well, yeah, he could. Let's see how "The Green Hornet" does first.
Seriously though, I love this blog. Keep up the great work. People should post complimentary comments as often as critical ones. I'll try to do that in the future. You guys run the most consistent, most updated, most intriguing film blog out there. Keep up the great work.
As we previously reported, Soderbergh actually retains all rights/full ownership of the film.
http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2010/01/exclusive-ewan-mcgregor-dennis-quaid.html
I think the guy quoted for the story is getting ahead of himself as far as sequels..etc go..he's the guy who is coordinating the production team in Dublin…not a REAL PRODUCER on this film.
@Frank. Yet you're here.
Soderbergh IS awesome. What's the point in NOT looking forward to a Soderbergh movie?
A lot depends on Gina Carano's performance/likability. That's a lot of pressure for a non-actress, like being thrown into the deepend.
Is this going to be Rated R?
Are there any other females in this, lol???
I totally agree @last Anone. Obviously Frank Steiner's got his head up his ass.
Cause I dunno, yeah, we dig the guy's work, but he's fallible like everyone else. I didn't particularly care for the Girlfriend Experience and I think a lot of that had to do with the non-actor.
That always worries me. A lot rests on the untested abilities of Carano.