We haven’t been keeping enough tabs on the adaptation of Red, based on the comic book mini-series created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner and published by DC/Wildstorm between 2003-2004. The film adaptation first popped onto our radar when action man Bruce Willis signed-on to star, followed soon after by the news that acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman would be joining Willis . Completing the trifecta of acting heavyweights, last week we heard that Helen Mirren was onboard for Red; that’s three Golden Globe and/or Oscar-winners coming together for an obscure comic book flick! Crazy, right?
Well it gets even crazier, as we now have more famous names to add to the cast list of Red… Last week news broke that Mary Louise Parker (Weeds) and John C. Reily were in talks for the film, and today we learn (thanks to Collider) that they will be joined by Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck), Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss, and Brian Cox! For those counting, that brings the count up to a total of 7 Red cast members who have either been nominated for, or won Golden Globes/Oscars. To quote the great Keanu Reeves, “Whoa.”
So what is Red all about???
Well, the comic book mini-series focused on Paul Moses (Willis), a retired CIA special operative now living in quiet seclusion, whose only tie to his old life are the occasional calls from his former handler. However, with a new White House administration comes a newly-appointed CIA director named Michael Beesley, who uncovers secrets about the black ops missions Moses used to carry out, and deems the former agent a liability. The company dispatches some young, hi-tech assassins to take Moses out – but of course Moses survives. The old dog calls his former agency to let them know his status has changed from green (chillaxed) to red (kill stuff mode) before he sets out for revenge. Somewhere on that bloody path, Moses uncovers a conspiracy that goes far deeper than him.
So where do all these famous faces fit into that story? Here’s what we know (or have guessed) so far:
- Morgan: I want to say he’ll be playing the role of Beesley, basically reprising his villain role from Wanted. Not certain yet.
- Mirren: “An old associate of Moses with a lethal set of skils.”
- Parker: A federal pension worker/love interest who gets caught up in Moses’ drama.
- Reilly: Another retired CIA agent who lives looking over his shoulder every second.
- McMahon: A shady Vice President with possible ties to the conspiracy.
- Borgnine: Archive keeper of the CIA’s “darkest” records.
- Dreyfuss: A developer made wealthy buy fat government contracts.
- Cox: Former Cold War spy and nemesis of Moses.
Oh, and they still have yet to cast the young team of assassins on Moses’ trail, BTW. So expect more casting news to come.
Red seems (on the surface) like a standard espionage/revenge-thriller, but looking over the awesome cast they’ve assembled so far, there must be SOMETHING in the script by writers Erich and Jon Hoeber (Whiteout, Battleship) that is luring this caliber of talent. Red will be helmed by Robert Schwentke (The Time Traveler’s Wife), and is being produced by Mark Vahradian and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers).
Are you as surprised by the cast of Red as I am? Happy to hear that Willis will be back doing what we love best from him? Curious to see what has all these famous actors onboard for this flick?
Red is slated for a November 19, 2010 release.
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