David Leitch is one of the most important figures in action films today. Now, the filmmaker has turned to the work of Japanese novelist Kōtarō Isaka for his next action filmBullet Train, which has now been given a release date bySony Pictures—though the film is currently facing a box office battle with another potential blockbuster.
Bullet Traincomes at a time when most of Hollywood’s action films happen to be based on previous franchises, comic book material, or the tropes surrounding past films involving a particular action star such as Liam Neeson or Jason Statham. The decision on Sony’s part to release the film in theaters is a huge sign of confidence, which is undoubtedly founded in the action film expertise of Leitch, who also produced the recent theatrical releaseNobodywith Bob OdenkirkandHardcore Henrydirector Ilya Naishuller.
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Bullet Traintells the story of five assassins who board the same bullet train in Japan, only to find out that their assignments are interconnected. The film has been slated for release on April 8th, 2022, and stars Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Karen Fukuhara, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Sandra Bullock among others. The film’s screenplay was written by Zak Olkewicz, who produced the horror filmLights Out, and Leitch, who’s producingBullet Train, is joined by other notable producers such as his wife, Kelly McCormick, andThe Equalizerdirector Antoine Fuqua.
Another tentpole film is slated for release on April 8th, 2022, and that film isnone other thanSonic the Hedgehog 2. The game movie sequel, which just wrapped filming a month ago, is the predecessor to one of the most profitable films released theatrically in 2020. Sony Pictures and Paramount both have plenty of time to rethink their strategies, but a box office battle between theSonic’s family film andBullet Train’s claustrophobic action thriller would be interesting to keep an eye on.
After an extensive career as a stunt coordinator on many big films, Leitch got his big breakthrough with his involvement on the sleeper hitJohn Wick. Since then, he’s directed many notable action films includingAtomic Blonde,Deadpool 2, andFast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw,but theJohn Wickfranchise is moving on without its creator.
John Wick: Chapter 4is still casting roles and is currently in pre-production, butBullet Train, especially with the involvement original creator ofJohn Wick, is sure to tide franchise fans over as they wait for the next installment in that action film series. There is plenty to be excited about withBullet Train, from the unconventional source material to the involvement of actors like Pitt andKraven the Hunterstar Taylor-Johnson. But time will tell ifBullet Traincan reach faster speeds than the blue blur.
Bullet Trainis slated to release in theaters on April 8th, 2022.
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