Remaking Jean-Pierre Melville seems like a suspect enterprise at best, even when the proposed perpetrator is someone like Johnnie To. One of the premier crime stylists in Hong Kong, To has recently made films that are pretty damn good (Exiled, Election and Triad Election) and some interesting misses (Breaking News, Mad Detective) and continues to be one of the only Hong Kong directors currently worthy of persistent attention.
But remaking Le Cercle Rouge, one of Melville’s last films, is a big step. I’m sure it’s enticing as hell — that long capper of a heist scene is rivaled only by the heist sequence in Dassin’s Rififi — but casting any role originally played by Alain Delon is a monumental task. And when your go-to guy is Orlando Bloom…Mr. To, some things just don’t make sense. Like the ending of Unbreakable, and marrying without a prenup. And this.
The Hollywood Reporter says an offer has gone out to Bloom, but there are no official talks yet. Chow-Yun Fat is in negotiations to co-star, and Empire mentions that Liam Neeson is the mix as well. That’s the most exciting news so far. The film is shooting in Hong Kong and Macau, so who would Neeson play if he signs on? Vogel, the escaped murderer, or Jansen, the shooter? Perhaps even the former mob boss of Orlando Bloom’s character? This is fan casting I can enjoy for a minute. And will the film be in English, or a mix of English and Cantonese?
Oh, who am I kidding? Even if Bloom is cast, I’ll be first in line just out of curiosity.
16 comments
This guy needs to be in more movies. Give him something juicy to work with.
Bloom must give one helluva hummer because I can't think of any other reason why these otherwise respectable directors would keep hiring him. Oh, and any article with a dig at the supremely ridiculous Unbreakable is A-OK is my books.
yo To you can't do this! that's my favorite movie son! i don't care if you've had a much more interesting past decade then myself. this is blasphemy! Leave the melville remakes to the master, and go make another movie with alexander payne.
Goddammit. Orlando Bloom?? Are you fucking serious? What, Chris Klein or Josh Hartnett weren't available? Fucking vapid Hollywood remakes. I'm tired. I'm done watching new movies. So pointless anymore.
Not exactly a Hollywood remake.
Speaking of Alain Delon, I'd pay full price to see Anthony Wong in the film…
I don't usually have a big problem with Bloom. I was never a big fan, but he redeemed himself with Ridley's cut of Kingdom of Heaven. However, Le Cercle Rouge is one of Melville's best films. Sure, Bloom has the almost feminine look that Delon had in his youth, but Alain could do more acting with one stare than Orlando could in a whole film. Besides, Delon was in his prime here. I just don't see it.
Fuck Bloom they should just get Casey Affleck
what no dig at THE GOONIES…
Wasn't this a John Woo project? Guess I'm behind on the latest developments.
The reason Orlando Bloom keeps getting work is because *gasp* he's a movie star. Mystery solved. Message board dorks sure do hate the beautifu people!
They should hire me instead. I taught Orlando everything he knows.
Speaking of Alain Delon, The Man Himself is apparently in one of Johnnie To's other upcoming films. Johnnie To with merely "an upcoming film?" There's never any fewer than three on the way from this guy.
So in summary… a film most people have never heard of, starring an actor noone has ever heard of, by a director people have never heard of is being remade by an Asian director noone has ever heard of and is possibly starring Orlando Bloom. You people really need to find more important things to get upset about.
I'm not sure who made the more valid point-hobo or Fucknuts Mcfucklenuts. I'll be watching both your careers with great interest.
Mad Detective a miss?!? Now that's crazy talk. Easily one of the best asian flicks to come out last year.
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