Wanted
Cast: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Common, Thomas Kretschmann, Kristen Hager, Chris Pratt, Lorna Scott, David O'Hara, Marc Warren, Konstantin Khabensky, Dato BakhtadzeDirector: Timur Bekmambetov
Writer: Michael Brandt,
Derek Haas, Chris Morgan
Producers: Jim Lemley, Jason Netter, Marc E. Platt, Iain Smith
Co-Producers: Sally French, David Minkowski, Matthew Stillman
Executive Producers: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Adam Siegel, Marc Silvestri
Art Direction: Jan Soufek, Patrick M. Sullivan Jr., Tomas Voth
Casting: Mindy Marin
Costume Design: Varvara Avdyushko
D.O.P.: Mitchell Amundsen
Editor: David Brenner, Dallas Puett
Make-Up: Ailie Smith
Music: Danny Elfman
Production Design: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Richard Roberts
Based upon Mark Millar's explosive graphic novel series and helmed by the stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov--creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the "Night Watch" series--"Wanted" tells the story of one invisible drone's transformation into a dark avenger. In 2008, the world will be introduced to a superhero for a new millennium: Wesley Gibson.
25-year-old account manager Wes (James McAvoy) was the most pathetic, cube-dwelling hypochondriac the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend cheated on him daily and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this weakling would never amount to anything. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die a slow, clock-punching death. Until he became Wanted.
After the murder of a father he never knew, Wes discovers powers beyond his dreams. He becomes the latest recruit in the Fraternity--a secret society of assassins--and develops lightning-quick reflexes with superhuman agility. Wes soon learns his league of henchmen has but one mission: carry out the death orders of the mythological Fates, weavers of every man's lifeline.
With wickedly brilliant tutors, he morphs into a killing machine and starts erasing one bad guy after another. But as Wes grows into the mantle passed down by his father...he discovers his clan members are not exactly the enforcers of justice they claim to be. Just as he gets everything he ever Wanted, Wesley Gibson will learn that with the ability to deliver death comes an even more difficult power...controlling your own life.
25-year-old account manager Wes (James McAvoy) was the most pathetic, cube-dwelling hypochondriac the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend cheated on him daily and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this weakling would never amount to anything. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die a slow, clock-punching death. Until he became Wanted.
After the murder of a father he never knew, Wes discovers powers beyond his dreams. He becomes the latest recruit in the Fraternity--a secret society of assassins--and develops lightning-quick reflexes with superhuman agility. Wes soon learns his league of henchmen has but one mission: carry out the death orders of the mythological Fates, weavers of every man's lifeline.
With wickedly brilliant tutors, he morphs into a killing machine and starts erasing one bad guy after another. But as Wes grows into the mantle passed down by his father...he discovers his clan members are not exactly the enforcers of justice they claim to be. Just as he gets everything he ever Wanted, Wesley Gibson will learn that with the ability to deliver death comes an even more difficult power...controlling your own life.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Filming Locations: Budapest, Hungary; Chicago, USA; Prague, Czech Republic;
Production Companies: Kickstart Productions, Marc Platt Productions,
Spyglass Entertainment, Stillking Films, Top Cow Productions, Universal Pictures
Production Schedule: 30th April 2007 - 20th July 2007
Web Sites: Official Site - The IMDb
Filming Locations: Budapest, Hungary; Chicago, USA; Prague, Czech Republic;
Production Companies: Kickstart Productions, Marc Platt Productions,
Spyglass Entertainment, Stillking Films, Top Cow Productions, Universal Pictures
Production Schedule: 30th April 2007 - 20th July 2007
Web Sites: Official Site - The IMDb
Lower Wacker Drive, the two (and at certain points three) leveled labyrinth of a roadway system lining the Chicago River, is about to become a film star again...
Newsarama spoke with James McAvoy this weekend and asked a few questions about the film adaptation of the comic "Wanted" in which he plays the son of...
- McAvoy had screen-tested for the role early in 2006 and was initially rejected due to the studio seeking an actor that had conventional Hollywood leading-man looks and physique.
- The actor was later recalled, being considered the "runt of the litter" of those who tested. According to McAvoy, "They [ultimately] wanted someone geeky." The Scottish actor, who portrays an American in the film, trained for the film's action scenes.
- Comic book creator Mark Millar says he "didn’t like the first draft of the script" calling it "too tame" and "Americanized." He then says Timur came in and "really made it nasty. He went closer to the spirit of the book."
- Director Timur Bekmambetov said that the film would keep the same characters from the miniseries, though the director would take liberty in adapting the comic book's world. Millar says the first half of the film is close to the graphic novel and though the film's ending was similar, it was relocated elsewhere from the novel's setting.
- The superhero costumes in the graphic novel were removed, with the exception of the leather attire worn by Wesley Gibson and The Fox.
- The story arc of the Fates issuing death orders is new to the film, an addition Millar liked.
- The action will include free running and parkour in addition to car chases and gunfights. The film will also be the first to use the Red One digital camera, a new tool that has gained interest among cinematographers.
- In July 2006, screenwriter Chris Morgan was hired to revise the third act of the Wanted script written by Haas and Brandt. The script was also rewritten by screenwriter Dean Georgaris to include the role of The Fox for actress Angelina Jolie. Haas and Brandt returned to even out the voice of Wesley Gibson, which they had established in their first draft.
- Wanted was initially set to be released in cinemas on March 28, 2008, but in December 2007, Universal announced it would be pushing back the release date to June 27, 2008.
- The actor was later recalled, being considered the "runt of the litter" of those who tested. According to McAvoy, "They [ultimately] wanted someone geeky." The Scottish actor, who portrays an American in the film, trained for the film's action scenes.
- Comic book creator Mark Millar says he "didn’t like the first draft of the script" calling it "too tame" and "Americanized." He then says Timur came in and "really made it nasty. He went closer to the spirit of the book."
- Director Timur Bekmambetov said that the film would keep the same characters from the miniseries, though the director would take liberty in adapting the comic book's world. Millar says the first half of the film is close to the graphic novel and though the film's ending was similar, it was relocated elsewhere from the novel's setting.
- The superhero costumes in the graphic novel were removed, with the exception of the leather attire worn by Wesley Gibson and The Fox.
- The story arc of the Fates issuing death orders is new to the film, an addition Millar liked.
- The action will include free running and parkour in addition to car chases and gunfights. The film will also be the first to use the Red One digital camera, a new tool that has gained interest among cinematographers.
- In July 2006, screenwriter Chris Morgan was hired to revise the third act of the Wanted script written by Haas and Brandt. The script was also rewritten by screenwriter Dean Georgaris to include the role of The Fox for actress Angelina Jolie. Haas and Brandt returned to even out the voice of Wesley Gibson, which they had established in their first draft.
- Wanted was initially set to be released in cinemas on March 28, 2008, but in December 2007, Universal announced it would be pushing back the release date to June 27, 2008.
