Brad Pitt Negotiating to Play Assassin in Adaptation of The Gray Man
According to Variety, Brad Pitt is negotiating to play the title role in the assassin thriller The Gray Man, adapted by Adam Cozad from Mark Greaney's 2009 novel. The role would see Pitt as Court Gentry, an ex-CIA operative known for his lethal skill who goes on the run after his last job goes wrong, with action taking place across the globe. Could this be Hollywood's next Bourne-style property?
James Gray (Two Lovers) is on board to direct from Cozad's script -- making Gray the man, so to speak, for The Gray Man. (Yes, groan, I know.) When he was first announced to direct the film, Gray himself acknowledged the legacy of the Bourne films on the genre. "What [Paul Greengrass] did was a documentary-style objective approach, and he owns that style," Gray told Deadline back in January. "I want to do the opposite, which feels like a good way to sympathize with a professional hitman. You humanize him by never distancing yourself from his experience. This story has emotional stakes that enable me to do that."
What hasn't been mentioned, thus far, is the possibility that The Gray Man could spawn an entire action franchise; the film is adapted from Greaney's novel of the same name, but he wrote two sequels: 2010's On Target and the forthcoming Ballistic, which hits shelves this September.
Meanwhile, let's take a look at Greaney's own fantasy casting for The Gray Man, posted last year with an acknowledgment that he had no say in the selection process: Casey Affleck for the Gray Man, Michael Caine as his handler, James Franco (or Topher Grace) as an "evil," "intelligent" corporate attorney. (Read the full fantasy cast list here.)
• Brad Pitt in talks to star in 'The Gray Man' [Variety]
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Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale seem to be some of the few actors who consistently make great choices. They are rare because they could easily choose to be some generic paycheck flick but they have the integrity not to. Something I wish I could say for Jeremy Renner and the already pretty successful Tom Hardy.
At least when Tom Hardy takes a paycheck movie, it's The Dark Knight Rises. Besides, Bronson makes up for the next 10 paycheck movies. And he's pretty great in the upcoming Warrior, too.
Ouch. TDKR is a paycheck gig? I always thought that in order to be considered as such, a paycheck gig would have to not only pay well, but have the requisite lack of quality or "artyness".
Otherwise, totally agree with you.
Oh no, I totally didn't mean TDKR when I made the crack about the paycheck movies. I kinda have a love affair going on with Chris Nolan. It just seems like every week you hear about something Hardy has been cast in. Like for example he's gonna be in McG's latest movie. I mean based on everything we've seen him in up to now (really just Bronson & Inception with some bit roles in Layer Cake and RocknRolla) he's been great, especially Bronson, he should have gotten an Oscar nom for that. I'm just worried at this point, once you get a little fame Hollywood loves to get their hooks in ya. Despite all the shit he gets I think Tom Cruise really is a great actor, just look at him Collateral or Magnolia, it's just a shame he decided to take the paycheck route.
For what it's worth, totally agree with you. You win internet...yesterday. Cheers.