Rourke & Statham Join 13 Remake

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=23456


Sam Riley was already cast in director Gela Babluani's remake of his own 13 Tzameti as 13, but now he's added Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke and 50 Cent, to a film that suddenly sounds like a very interesting blend of proper acting (Riley) and action (pretty much everyone else).


The story has a young man (Sebastian in the original) decide to follow instructions meant for someone else when he steals a package that promises to pay out a fortune. Although there are similar chase elements to this, by the by, this is not to be confused with the other French actiony thriller District 13, which is being sequelised but not remade.


Babluani has adapted his own original script and will direct the remake. By hiring Jason "The Stath" Statham and Mickey "The Wrestler" Rourke, he has shown respect for our English-speaking action icons, and may go about his business in making the film without fear of a roundhouse kick to the head from His Stathness. It's also worth noting that with current thinking is that Rourke is likely to be (at least) nominated for a Best Actor Oscar next March for his turn as Aronofsky's Wrestler, so with shooting on this due to begin on November, this could be his first post-Oscars release which could give it a big boost.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

The original film was a big surprise at the Venice Film Festival some years ago. We came into the theater knowing nothing about the movie and came out won over by its disturbing atmosphere. I don't get why they're remaking it. I think part of its appeal is the low budget black and white harsh look, completely in tune with the story.
Sam Riley could work as the main Character, though.

 

[Space Moose]

I hate when directors do an English language re-make of their own film just to get more widespread appeal. It won at the Venice Film Festival for Christ's sake! what more appeal do you want? I hardly think having 50 Cent in a movie is gonna' win you an Oscar...

 

[Octoberist]

"Starring Sam Riley, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham....(10 minute pause) and 50 Cent."

When you read something like that, doesn't it sound absurd? A guy..name 50 Cent at the trail end.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Winstone, Liotta join Babluani's '13'

Mickey Rourke, Ray Winstone, Jason Statham, Sam Riley, 50 Cent and Ray Liotta will star in "13," an English-language remake of the 2005 French pic "13 Tzameti."
That psychological thriller won the grand jury prize for world cinema at the Sundance Film Festival.

Gela Babluani, who wrote and directed the original, has penned the script and will direct a film that begins production in New York on Nov. 20.

Riley ("Control") plays the title character, a young man who stumbles into an underground competition where the wealthy gamble on human beings in a Russian Roulette-like competition.

Rourke, who is starring in his first film since drawing acclaim for Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," will play a convict in a Mexican prison who is sold into the competition. Winstone, who just starred with Mel Gibson in the Martin Campbell-directed "Edge of Darkness," will play a competitor who has been sprung from a mental institution to participate; 50 Cent ("Righteous Kill") will play an employee assigned to escort Rourke's character to the bloody game.

Statham, who next appears in "Transporter 3," plays a wealthy British man who bets on the competition and has a peculiar interest in one of the competitors. Liotta, who's wrapping "Youth in Revolt," will play a cop on the trail of the illegal game.

The thriller will be produced by Rick Schwartz and his Overnight Prods. label; Barbarian Films' Aaron Kaufman; and Valerio Morabito.

The film is being financed by Barbarian. Offshore territories will be sold by Paramount Vantage, and Endeavor is representing the film. A domestic distribution deal is expected by the time production begins.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995272.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

 

[dude stannis]

Wow. When Jason Statham plays the least toughest character in your movie, you know it's going to be freakin' manly.

Though, if they'd had another known hardass for the lead I would prefer it.

EDIT: Like Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as The Running Man!

 

[Hunter Rider]

There is so much grizzle amassing in this movie I am surprised it has not attracted Carmine.

 

[Dark Donnie]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/17/first-look-mickey-rourke-in-13-the-13-tzameti-remake/

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Dark Donnie]

just a tad faster this time

 

[Hunter Rider]

t: We are 1-1 on new pics tonight! although i got that Surrogates one earlier.

Man Rourke is looking extra ugly there.

 

[Dark Donnie]

t: We are 1-1 on new pics tonight! although i got that Surrogates one earlier.

Man Rourke is looking extra ugly there.

This is the second time this happened. Funny enough I saw the pic for The Surrogates on /Film....sure enough you posted it already.

No kidding....he looks out of his mind. Those eyes

 

[oakzap425]

can't post any links because i'm on my cell, but didn't alexander skarsgard (true blood, generation kill) just get a part in this movie?

 

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=51927

Emmanuelle Chriqui to Star in 13
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
January 14, 2009


Emmanuelle Chriqui ("Entourage") is joining the cast of Gela Babluani's 13, a remake of the French thriller 13 Tzameti.

Michael Shannon, Ben Gazzara and Alex Skarsgard also recently have been added to the cast, which includes Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, 50 Cent, Ray Winstone and Sam Riley.

13 concerns a young man who is forced to participate in a high-stakes game of Russian Roulette where wealthy gamblers bet on human lives.

 

[Eggyman]

can't post any links because i'm on my cell, but didn't alexander skarsgard (true blood, generation kill) just get a part in this movie?

Wow, posting on the hype from your phone = true dedication.

--

This film has aquired my interest.

 

[Darkfly]

Statham's in it, I'm there

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Yesssss! Grizzle galore!!!


I've seen the original some months ago, and I kinda liked it. I watched it without knowing anything beforehand, and frankly, when you know what 13 Tzameti is about before you watch it it, it would probably be boring as hell. I think this remake has potential actually. Especially with an awesome cast like this.

 

[oakzap425]

Hate to bump a rather dead thread, but any new news on this film?