A sequel to the 2004 French parkour action film District B13 is set to begin production in July. Written by Luc Besson, and directed by Patrick Alessandrin (Mean Spirit, August 15th), the sequel will be titled Banlieue 14 (or District B14 in the states). No plot details have been released, we only know that an open casting call for parkour practitioners has been put out on the official blog. The first film is best known for it’s intense parkour chase sequences.
For those that might not know what parkour is, wikipedia defines it as “an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment—from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls—and can be practiced in both rural and urban areas.” The most mainstream use of parkour in film is probably the opening chase sequence from Casino Royale. You can watch a chase sequence from the first film below.
via: Twitch
June 16th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I loved the parkour of the first film…and the characters/fight scenes were pretty decent…I just hope this new one has a better script and plot…I was also distracted by the horrible urban costumes, everyone looked they were waiting to play a game of basketball…it’s kind of hard to make your villains look tough when they’re wearing clothing made for school children….
June 16th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
The parkour stuff in the first film was fun to watch. But the novelty wears off eventually. After a while it felt way too gimmicky.
Luc Besson needs to come back to directing again. I want that Leon sequel :(
June 16th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
wow
June 16th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
all i know that g4 sent two parkour runners for ninja warrior. parkour is so awesome on film.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
one on the best action movie i have seen. the next one would be even greater. tell me when its going to come out in france or in U.S
June 16th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
It works in Casino Royale because you have Bond chasing the guy in a conventional way. It offered contrast and it’s cool because of that.
Too much of it is just too gimmicky and too much of that awful soundtrack will bleed me from my ears.
…and yes, Besson needs to get himself back behind a camera.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
@K2
if it’s starting production in July it should hit French theaters between Spring-Fall 2009….or even earlier
June 17th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Wow that was nice.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:23 am
IF they put the money in the script, it should do well. I enjoyed the visuals of the first movie, but the story was weak.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:38 am
thanx
June 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I thought that the style that was featured in Casino Royale was free running, and not parkour. Are they the same?
June 18th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
@LP yeah, pretty much the same.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 am
wanted to know, where do I sign up here from?
someone has the address of localpara that I can send a letter?
thanks
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Loved District 13, one of the best action films of the last few years. I hope we will see a return of the original characters from District 13 (I can’t remember their names) the parkour guy, the martial artist (he should be starring in more films, he was freaking awesome!!) and that really cute French girl with attitude.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hi i watched this movie over then 12 times and i never get bored the script was amazing as the acting but if the cast aren’t the same i think it’s gonna be the worst think in my life..thanx and DAVID BELLE ROCKS
August 13th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Dear LP there are not the same David Belle is the founder of Le Parkour free running is something else .you will find the best answer in wikipedia.com