First off, if you haven’t seen the original 1974 version of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three with Walter Matthau facing off against Robert Shaw and a gang of calculating goons in New York City’s subway system, queue it. Not sure why the working class thriller remains slept on, even amongst geeks sans a homage to the villains’ color aliases in Reservoir Dogs, and the film’s ending definitely ranks in my top 20. Here we have the first images of Denzel Washington starring in Matthau’s old transit chief role in Tony Scott’s 2009 remake, The Taking of Pelham 123 (the title is so modern!).
Currently filming in Queens and Manhattan, Scott’s film pits Washington against John Travolta’s leader of subway highjackers, with James Gandolfini playing the city’s mayor. As you can see, Washington is wearing twee frames and a bad retro tie, but unless I’m mistaken, the film is set in the present. Let’s hope Scott squeezes all of the potential and predictability out of this cast. Matthau and Shaw were fantastic because both played it close to the vest while managing to chew a helluva lot of scenes. I’m already imagining the hushed, petulant tone Travolta will choose as he spouts his demands over a walkie-talkie to a furrowed-brow Washington. I hope I’m completely off.
via Just Jared
April 29th, 2008 at 7:08 am
This ain’t no bank robbery!
April 29th, 2008 at 7:47 am
STOP PUTTING JOHN TRAVOLTA IN MOVIES. LEAST OF ALL AS A VILLAIN.
He is DONE. Yes we all remember Pulp Fiction. who doesn’t? Try not to forget Face Off and Broken Arrow and Swordfish, alien thing in Battlefield Earth, etc etc etc or whatever else, cross dressing fat retarded mom in Hairspray. The man has his hair line spray painted onto his head.
Rest assured no one on this earth buys Travolta as baddie anymore. Who would?
Get out of our movies John Travolta!!
One last thing, WILD HOGS. F*ck you John Travolta. Why wont you just go away?
April 29th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I’m looking forward to this. It’s got all the actors that I like.
That first picture of Denzel make him seem retarded.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Seems they are trying to tone down Denzel to make him a “average guy doing his job”. But Denzel is too cool, too f*ing awesome to play an average guy. They should have him play the hijacker and someone more like Wendell Pierce (or maybe Jeff Bridges) to play the cop.
I do agree with Hunter though. Not looking forward.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I’ve never even heard of the original film. I’m going to have to check that one out for sure.
As for this remake…Travolta? Fail. I’m sorry but the fact that he’s a scientologist alone is enough to throw me off everything he does. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t usually discriminate based on beliefs, but I hate scientology with a passion, and refuse to support any scientologist.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Washington and Travolta are gold. This should turn out
very good. American Gangsta was by no means Oscar
worthy but to call it overrated it ridiculous. If you want
to see a film that’s overrated just rent
No Country For Old Men.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Firstly, yes it was definately Ridley Scott who directed American Gangster, and which, by the way, i thought was very good! I just love seeing Washington in bad guy roles, he is a natural at it. I do not need to mention Training Day, clearly his best work so far and am waiting for another one of his films that equals this. As for Travolta, well, lets just see before casting judgment on him. I dont think its fair to write him off just yet…he has done some very good films, its just that i cant remember any right now!!