The Gunman
Sean Penn takes to the screen for his first action role in this film from 'Taken' director Pierre Morel.
Sean Penn takes on first action role in 'Gunman'
When an ex-special forces military contactor attempts to retire, his superiors have other ideas and soon the maverick operative is forced on the run across Europe. It’s a plot that’s all too familiar, but the movie’s secret weapon is the casting of its protagonist: two-time Academy Award winning actor Sean Penn.
Fans will know Penn for his refined and masterful performances in Milk and Mystic River (both of which won him Oscars), but the role of Martin Terrier in The Gunman will be the actor’s first action movie to date, leaving many eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the role. Perhaps predictably, Penn refuses to pander to this aspect of the production, dismissing it in an interview with USA Today: 'I don’t separate this in my mind from anything else I have done. It’s a very human story that deals with the same things exploited in action films, like warfare.' Nevertheless, whilst it may be fresh ground for Penn, it certainly won’t be for French director Pierre Morel. Morel’s hugely successful Taken franchise oversaw the transformation of Liam Neeson from an actor famous for sober, hard-hitting roles (Schindler’s List and Michael Collins) to a surprisingly believable action-movie pin up.
Italy’s Jasmine Trinca (Honey) will play The Gunman’s heroine, and more orthodox casting has been employed for the film’s villains. Javier Bardem, famous for his chilling performances in Skyfall and No Country for Old Men, will be acting alongside Idris Elba, well noted for the ruthless characterisation of Stringer Bell in The Wire. With supporting roles from Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) and the RSC’s Mark Rylance, Morel has managed to gather a knockout cast.
While the plot is based on the novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, The Gunman’s screenplay is written by Pete Travis, who proved his capability for writing action packed blockbusters with 2012’s Dredd. Whether you’re intrigued to see Penn taking on this seemingly playful venture or simply after an action-packed evening, it seems The Gunman is unlikely to disappoint.
Fans will know Penn for his refined and masterful performances in Milk and Mystic River (both of which won him Oscars), but the role of Martin Terrier in The Gunman will be the actor’s first action movie to date, leaving many eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the role. Perhaps predictably, Penn refuses to pander to this aspect of the production, dismissing it in an interview with USA Today: 'I don’t separate this in my mind from anything else I have done. It’s a very human story that deals with the same things exploited in action films, like warfare.' Nevertheless, whilst it may be fresh ground for Penn, it certainly won’t be for French director Pierre Morel. Morel’s hugely successful Taken franchise oversaw the transformation of Liam Neeson from an actor famous for sober, hard-hitting roles (Schindler’s List and Michael Collins) to a surprisingly believable action-movie pin up.
Italy’s Jasmine Trinca (Honey) will play The Gunman’s heroine, and more orthodox casting has been employed for the film’s villains. Javier Bardem, famous for his chilling performances in Skyfall and No Country for Old Men, will be acting alongside Idris Elba, well noted for the ruthless characterisation of Stringer Bell in The Wire. With supporting roles from Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) and the RSC’s Mark Rylance, Morel has managed to gather a knockout cast.
While the plot is based on the novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, The Gunman’s screenplay is written by Pete Travis, who proved his capability for writing action packed blockbusters with 2012’s Dredd. Whether you’re intrigued to see Penn taking on this seemingly playful venture or simply after an action-packed evening, it seems The Gunman is unlikely to disappoint.
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| What | The Gunman |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
20 Mar 15 – 20 May 15, 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Price | £various |
| Website | Click here to go to the Gunman's IMDB page. |