Anyone who has ever cruised the floors of a national geek fest better known as “Comic Con” can attest to the astonishing levels of adrenaline and exhilaration radiating throughout the convention center–no matter which city it’s held in.
This year’s New York’s Comic Con (NYCC) welcomed an even larger herd of hungry, doe-eyed fans weaving through crowds of costumed fans, caught in a maze of comic book booths, while admiring a variety paraphernalia in forms of gadgets, toys and books. Above all, eager fans lined-up patiently to participate in fully capacitated panels and quick peep of highly anticipated, soon-to-be-released flicks.
One film in particular has caused an interminable buzz: Wanted, which was unbelievably magnified by its sneak peak at NYCC–especially since it stars the indomitable ‘sextress’ Angelina Jolie.
Good things come to those who wait…
The Skinny: A work-in-progress since 2004, Universal Studios is finally realizing its treasured dream of adapting Wanted into a film. With its upcoming summer release, the film has quickly become a fervently discussed hot subject among ‘comic cults’ and enthusiasts worldwide.
Click here for a look at NEW Wanted Movie Stills
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Angelina Jolie slyly plays ‘Fox’
Wanted is based on the highly popular violent, graphic comic book miniseries by Mark Millar which was published by the writer’s own Millarworld imprint. Cleverly cast with a wide demographic cross-section, it stars Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy, Common and Konstantin Khabensky.
James McAvoy transforms into ‘Wesley’
It is the action fantasy tale of an ‘average Joe’, apathetic young man named Wesley (McAvoy), who is turned into an unparalleled enforcer of justice, following the murder of his estranged father. Reluctantly he meets his inevitable destiny when recruited by Fox (Jolie) into the ‘fraternity of secret assassins’ led by Sloan (Freeman). Wes’ dormant yet inherent powers are unlocked when he is ultimately trained to avenge his father’s murder.
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Morgan Freeman channels ‘Sloan’
Thomas Kretchmann kicks it as ‘Cross’
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Spend a little time with Jolie’s Fox…
…And before you know it, you’re a new man!
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Timur Bekmambetov’s 2006 Russian Blockbuster, Night Watch
His upcoming supernatural dazzler, Wanted…
Already known to thrill a box-office the right way, buzz Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch and Day Watch films) caused a raucous with NYCC’s special sneak peak of the film. Bekmambetov’s cerebral, edgy–and roguish–Eastern European flavor played a significant factor in his translation and amplification the nasty violence echoed in the book on to the screen.[PAGEBREAK]
Keeping it understated…
Holds the mystery!..
The film’s chief dissimilarity from the book is the absence of character costumes. Understandably so, Bekmambetov thought they would be ‘unrealistic’. The soft-spoken director confessed: “There are so many movies with characters in costumes. I think it’s better how different they are inside. They are real super assassins. If you met a super assassin walking down the street in leather, you would know they are an assassin. It’s very unprofessional.” [PAGEBREAK]
At the last the moment, Bekmambetov unveiled two movie clips, both of which generated uncontainable, resonant excitement among fans:
It’s a known fact…
You can’t outfox ‘the Fox’…
The first scene was a thrilling, high energy, adrenaline-driven action sequence that commences in a supermarket. We are introduced to Fox trying to save Wesley from the same hit man who just killed his father. The sequence escalated to a chaotic gunfire in the store, quickly moving to the parking lot and catapulting into an outrageous shoot out amid a car chase.
The scene alternated between wide shots, explicit close-ups and significant slow-mo zooms to heighten the impact of single airborne bullets. Fox’s lightening-quick reflexes and fighting skills were emphasized with Matrix-like maneuvers during the car chase. The scene finally culminated in the stealthy Fox crashing over a police roadblock, and colliding with a bus before driving off to safety. Meanwhile, a terrified Wes breaks free after his continuous pleading. [PAGEBREAK]
Antithetical to the first scene, the second scene was a demure introduction of Wes waking up with his head on a wooden desk in what appeared to be a secret warehouse:
It’s a known fact…
You can’t outfox ‘the Fox’…
With Fox, Sloan and The Gunsmith (portrayed by hip hop artist Common) standing nearby, the camera zoomed-in on a wastebasket hosting a handful of buzzing flies. Sloan demands that Wes blasts the wings off of the flies. Reluctantly, Wes soon finds himself forced at gunpoint by The Gunsmith, to execute the task. With an extreme and vivid close-up, we witness an amazing, incomprehensible separation of multiple fly wings…alongside the awakening–or better yet, the unleashing of Wes’ powers.
Picking up the insects, the stately Sloan displays them to an astounded Wes, who quickly aims the gun at Sloan in an attempt to escape out of the building. Fox and gang are quite amused by Wes’ hasty departure. After all, it’s only a matter of time before he is pre-destined to return.[PAGEBREAK]
That ends the sneak peek…
Until next time…
Although we Wanted more, sadly, the screen faded to black.
A mouth watering glimpse into the secret world of super-villainous assassins left geeks gawking and us worked up and hungering for more. Vibing off the crowd, Bekmambetov appeared rightfully pleased with a film that will undoubtedly blow everyone’s mind upon its long awaited release!
Stay tuned…
