Yesterday, Twitter enthusiast Joe Carnahan promised his followers he would provide an update on the just announced remake of "Death Wish" he will be writing and directing. And, for those who stayed glued to their feeds, they got a little bigger window into what "The Grey" helmer has planned.
"Guys," he tweeted, "I'm doing 'Death Wish.' But this version is a re-imagining of the book and set in present day Los Angeles. The L.A. of 'Collateral.' It's on buses, cabs, metro trains. I want to show an unseen version of L.A. L.A. on foot. Prowling. Hunting. The vast emptiness of downtown."
This of course, would be a change up from the Brian Garfield novel (and the Charles Bronson movie) which is set in New York City, but really, the metropolis it takes place in is not key to the story. That said, the decision to set Paul Kersey loose amongst a grimy L.A. is a pretty good one. As far as who will play the lead? Well, while most assume that it will be Liam Neeson at this point, Carnahan is staying mum, only revealing he is writing with somebody in mind. However, he did add that "Warrior" and "The Grey" star Frank Grillo will have a role in the film.
"Nobody said anything about Frank playing the Kersey part," Carnahan emphasized, "Relax folks. We have a plan." If we had to make a wild guess, we think he might play Ames Jainchill who shows Paul the ropes and gives him a gun.
Oh and Joe, if you're reading this? The original film had a score by Herbie Hancock — here's hoping you do something similarly inspired here. [via ComingSoon]
I'm all for the remake, as this and Shane, are two films I've always wanted to see remade (Death Sentence was in no way a remake of Death Wish btw). BUT, you have to go with someone unassuming for the lead role. The problem with the original is that is starred Charlie Fucking Bronson…not your typical everyman who avoids violence. I liked the casting of James Marsden in the Straw Dogs remake, but that film was utterly terrible. For this, I'd love seeing someone like Guy Pearce or for a bigger name, Robert Downey Jr. And of course it has to be R rated, and hopeful pull no punches.
Just a few weeks ago, Carnahan claimed he was dedicated to making the movies he really cared about, namely White Jazz and Killing Pablo. Now he's already back on another second-rate, A-Team-esque, retro franchise. Very disappointing.