It was just about this time last year when the buzz around Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive" was beginning to build and make serious noise. The picture had just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to rapturous reviews, going on to earn Refn Best Director honors. And the film managed a modest, but no less impressive $76 million worldwide at the box office when it opened along with instant cult status. Ryan Gosling solidified himself as a leading man, and Refn as an auteur of the highest order. And it seems our adventures with Driver may not be over…
In book stores now is "Drive" author James Sallis' sequel "Driven" and in a recent interview with The Independent, it was revealed that a movie is in the works. "…they love the book" Sallis told the paper that added the novel "is in the movie pipeline." Granted, that's all we got and it's pretty thin admittedly, but clearly, there are some folks kicking the tires on the idea of bringing Driver back to the big screen. Whether or not any of the principal players will be involved remains to be seen (though we can't imagine a sequel without Ryan Gosling), but it looks like the first steps are being made to bring this to fruition. But don't get too excited…
Remember, the original movie took six years to get made, going through various incarnations — and moving from a major studio to an indie production — before it was cracked. And there are still a lot of steps for this to happen: a script, financing, casting etc. But now that we've poured all the cold water we can, if it does get made, what will it be about?
Well, the novel picks up seven years after the events of "Drive" and our hero is now living in Phoenix under the name Paul West, and he's engaged to be married. However, when two goons attack him and his fiancée, leaving her dead, Driver is forced to face his past and seek vengeance. [Insert cool electro soundtrack] "He is trying to suppress the violence – but the sequel shows the process of him accepting that this is who he is. He tries to become a normal person and re-invents himself. After his fiancée is killed, the violence is unleashed again," Sallis explained.
"It was difficult not to visualise Ryan Gosling playing the role when I wrote the sequel," Sallis also said. "I think he really made the character his own. Of course, they made changes in the script – but it has the blood, heart and guts of the book – it feels like my film."
So, keep those expectations tempered, but there's a chance Driver will be back with another cool jacket and a toothpick in his mouth.
Gosling, has to do "Driven" i can't wait.. Get yourself listed on IMDB by backing this film. http://kck.st/13uW9yG "Lady Bug" Psychological Thriller – Inspired by "Drive". http://kck.st/13uW9yG
So, basically Bourne Supremacy? No thanks…just gimme Gosling in some other film.
Love the first one…i pray this one has more chase scenes.
"Drive" was terrible in so many ways. And it wasn't because it moved too slowly or didn't have enough dialog. Because I had heard so many stellar reviews from critics I trust I bought the movie instead of renting it.
I hope Refn & Gosling are thinking of doing this. They work brilliantly together and Only God Forgives will continue to prove that.
I never gave any thought to the idea of a sequel, I watched the movie âDriveâ was taken as usual by Ryan Gosling and that was that. I do remember thinking while watching the film that the editorials I read that were so negative were very closed minded and lacking the creativity I require in my movies. I have to be away from home frequently traveling on business for Dish, but it gives me plenty of time to work on my hobby of writing movie reviews. It does not hurt that I love movies to begin with especially when a film captures me like âDriveâ and the individual qualities I love. I subscribe to Blockbuster @Home, which allows me access not just to new, but old movies by mail, live stream, right on my laptop. This gives me my research material, which is relaxing to me and is my unwinding technique, after a hard days work. I can't wait to read "Driven"!
ONLY WITH REFN AND GOSLING!
Yeah I can't imagine him settling down either…
I love Driver and the way Gosling portrayed him, and to me, his "outsider" nature opens it up for anyone, ANYONE, to play him (a la James Bond). He's this drifter who no one associates with very closely right? So no one knows exactly who he is or what he does. He's just this urban myth who drives.
Driver could be Pesci or Tatum or De Niro or JGL or Fox (Jamie or Megan, why not?!) or Charlize as a retired Danica Fitzpatrick. He/She is just a fucking badass.
That's the beauty of the character's mystique.
So yeah, I for one, can imagine a "Drive" film without Ryan Gosling.
Can't be any worse than Drive.
Wasn't this already made by Renny Harlin? [/joke]
A History of Driving
This sounds terrible…drive worked as a complete ensemble piece this sounds lazy..
Oh, for cryin' out loud, who needs "Drive" sequel?! Like, really? "Drive" was a great film with a great ending and should be left alone in its kick-assness! What's wrong with these people? UGH!!
uh…this sounds like shit.
Will Benecio be back or not?? Bring Benecio back!!!!!!!!
maaaaaaaan did I like Refn's Drive way better than Sallis's Drive…maaaaaaaaaan. Frankly I thought the book was pretty lousy compared to the film and this just feels like Sallis is milking this cow for all he can get…blegh
I think it'd be hard to accept the idea of Ryan Gosling's version of the character getting married & having a family. He may have the Gosling looks & gotten lucky with Carey Mulligan's character but the guy is a definite oddball. Can't really see Gosling's Driver living a happy lifestyle in a beach house with some babe before going all Frank Castle on people.
"Refn as an auteur of the highest order." LOL
I love most of Sallis' work, but "Driven" feels like something he churned out in a couple of hours on a Saturday when he was bored.