Well, there are two version of “Jane Got A Gun“: the movie that could have been and the one we’re going to get. As you well know, Lynne Ramsay was long attached to direct the western and had corralled a cast that include Natalie Portman, Michael Fassbender and Joel Edgerton. Then Fassbender left, and Jude Law joined. Then Ramsay left. Then Gavin O’Connor joined. Then Law left. Then Bradley Cooper joined. Still with us?
Well, the movie has finally locked things down for 2.0 with “The Americans” star Noah Emmerich coming on board. The actor is longtime O’Connor pal/fave, appearing in each of the director’s features so far, so very little chance of him bailing on the movie and it coming to a stop again. For whatever it’s worth, both Emmerich and Portman appeared in Ted Demme‘s “Beautiful Girls.”
To refresh your memory: The film will follow Jane Hammond (Portman), a good girl married to one of the worst baddies in town. When her husband Bill (Emmerich) turns against his own gang, the vicious Bishop Boys, and returns home barely alive with eight bullets in his back, Jane decides to grab a gun and take matters into her own hands. As the relentless leader John Bishop (Cooper) gears up for revenge, Jane’s best hope for her family’s survival rests with her old love Dan Frost (Edgerton) – a gunslinger whose hatred for Bill is only slightly overshadowed by his love for Jane.
So, O’Connor, Portman, Cooper, Edgerton and Emmerich? We have to say, that’s a pretty nice recovery, and while the full story behind Ramsay’s departure has yet to be told from her side of the table, this new incarnation has rounded up some hard-to-argue with talent. Production is now underway. [Deadline]
I know that the playlist only posts about the above the line, but cinematographer Darius Khondji quitting after all those months of pre-production and storyboarding is probably a lot more doom than Gavin O'Conner coming aboard. It really is from scratch. The replacement is Mandy Walker.
Hovering around this production… and I wouldn't believe what you're reading. I predict you'll get the truth in a few weeks. People are covering their @sses.
Alex,
Did you see "Warrior" ? It's a great movie, the farthest thing from "unremarkable".
This version seems a lot more middle of the road. With Ramsay in charge, it could have been a 4/10 or it could have been a 9/10. This one seems destined for being a 6/10 or if it's good a 7/10 at best.