Nicolas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives

[Sgt.Pepper]

The director of the Pusher trilogy, Bronson and the upcoming Drive will start shooting his neo-western film titled Only God Forgives in December.

Luke Evans & Kristin Scott Thomas is set to join the project with just recently announced actor Vithaya Pansringarm and popstar Yaya Ying joining the film also.

The film “centers on a Thai police lieutenant whose rivalry with a gangster sees the two settling their differences in a Thai-boxing match.”

I'm always excited to see some new material from this talented filmmaker and since a neo-western will be new territory for him, it will be interesting to see how Refn evolves with his work.

 

[obin_gam]

neo-western... ? so, like that Last Man Standing with Bruce Willis?

 

[Heisenberg]

Refn's style is somewhat slower and intense, along with this being a neo-western I'm getting a No Country For Old Men type vibe.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Official Synopsis Revealed For 'Only God Forgives'

Julian is on the run from the British police. He runs a Thai Boxing club in Bangkok which is a front for a drugs smuggling operation. He is well respected within the criminal underworld, but deep in his heart he feels that his life is lacking something. He meets a retired cop, The Angel of Vengeance, and finds out that he has to confront his mother.

Source

 

[Crockett]

Good premise. I'm interested to see what Refn can bring with this project, neo-western sounds great.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I forgot to mention but Larry Smith who was the DP for Fear X and Bronson will return for Only God Forgives.

What I liked about the synopsis is that it looks like Refn will be returning back to his earlier films, mainly the Pusher trilogy.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Variety reports that Ryan Gosling is replacing Luke Evans, who dropped due to his commitment with The Hobbit. They also report that the film is aiming for a release in the second half of 2012 after a November shoot.

F***ing A! I think we can positively add Refn and Gosling on the list of excellent director/actor team-up.

 

[Crockett]

I was wondering about Evans' role in this ever since he was cast in The Hobbit, regardless Refn found a excellent replacement. Drive was a start of a friendship and a collaboration between them and that's great.

 

[Crockett]

Filmdistrict, who will be releasing Drive it's close to pick up the U.S. distribution for Only God Forgives, there's also a few more details on the plot.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/filmdistrict-nears-u-s-distribution-deal-for-ryan-gosling-nic-refn-drama-only-god-forgives/

Only God Forgives will shoot in late summer in Thailand, with Gosling playing a guy on the run from British police. He runs a Thai boxing club in Bangkok that is a front for a drug smuggling operation. He winds up getting in the ring for a shot at redemption.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Good news.

I really hope that Drive will be a hit and bring Refn the attention of many people who have never heard of him before.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Collider found a new synopsis and logline for Only God Forgives from the American Film Market.

Logline:

Only God Forgives is a fast, powerful, high-profile, action and violent revenge story with Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas, never seen before, as a merciless and terrifying mafia godmother.

New Synopsis:

Julian, an Englishman living in Bangkok, is a respected figure in the criminal underworld. He and his brother Billy run a Thai boxing club which is in fact a front for smuggling drugs to London. When Billy is murdered, their mother Jenna arrives from London to bring back the body. Jenna is herself the head of a powerful criminal organization and is used to getting exactly what she wants. She sets out to settle the score along a bloody path of rage, betrayal, and vengeance, hurtling toward an ultimate confrontation and the possibility of redemption.

Kristin Scott Thomas portraying a mobster role will be interesting to see. And as she's a talented actress and being directed by Refn, I'm sure she will deliver an impressive performance.

I would love to see Tom Hardy play Billy, he would be a great addition to the film and it'll be just fantastic to have him re-teaming with Refn.

 

[Asgard]

So, did they scrap the neo western idea for a mafia-type movie?

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

So, did they scrap the neo western idea for a mafia-type movie?

Nope. As far as I'm aware it will still be neo-western, or more precisely Refn's take on the genre.

 

[Asgard]

I see.

 

[dude stannis]

So very keen for this. Would've preferred Luke Evans instead of Gosling, but we all know Gosling is going to own this.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I'm more than happy that Gosling replaced Evans. But one thing I'm concern with Gosling (that I wouldn't be with Evans) is if he can pull off a convincing British accent. Aside from that, I agree with what you said, Gosling will pretty much own the role.

 

[Octoberist]

Collider found a new synopsis and logline for Only God Forgives from the American Film Market.

Logline:


New Synopsis:

Kristin Scott Thomas portraying a mobster role will be interesting to see. And as she's a talented actress and being directed by Refn, I'm sure she will deliver an impressive performance.

I would love to see Tom Hardy play Billy, he would be a great addition to the film and it'll be just fantastic to have him re-teaming with Refn.

Hardy is not on speaking terms with Refn sadly.

 

[redhawk23]

^What's up with that?

 

[Octoberist]

It's a feud in who write what on the Bronson screenplay. Hardy said he and his writer friend didn't get credited.

 

[dude stannis]

I'm more than happy that Gosling replaced Evans. But one thing I'm concern with Gosling (that I wouldn't be with Evans) is if he can pull off a convincing British accent. Aside from that, I agree with what you said, Gosling will pretty much own the role.

I hate Ryan Gosling because he gets to bone Emma Stone in two films. But I can put that aside when he's lighting up the screen.

Kidding aside, it's only because I think a real Brit would suit the role. Gosling will do fine.

 

[redhawk23]

It's a feud in who write what on the Bronson screenplay. Hardy said he and his writer friend didn't get credited.

Ah. I had never heard of this.

 

[RKO]

It's a feud in who write what on the Bronson screenplay. Hardy said he and his writer friend didn't get credited.

Never heard of this either. Hope it is resolved at some point.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Aw, man, I love the sound of this premise. I can just see Refn's fingerprints all over it. And I can never get tired of Gosling.

 

[The Morningstar]

This sounds ****ing awesome.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Hardy is not on speaking terms with Refn sadly.

Really? But I read somewhere that Refn and Hardy ran into each other in Comic-Con, and they reminded that the two should work together soon. So either everything is resolve or they just said that to be polite. If not, I do hope that they sort it out soon.