Hugh Jackman Circles Back & Will Star In 'Prisoners' From 'Incendies' Director Denis Villeneuve For November 2013 Release

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by Kevin Jagernauth
March 15, 2012 5:33 PM
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Over two years ago, a very early incarnation of the long, long developing Black List script "Prisoners" was put on hold. At the time Hugh Jackman was circling the lead, but wasn't quite locked down, with Antoine Fuqua set to direct, but it didn't come pass. And while a few more stars and directors came and went in the years since, the project is one that seems to have been lodged in Jackman's memory as he's now back to star.

Alcon Entertainment have announced that the actor is back, and it will be hitting screens next year. Written by Aaron Guzikowski (“Contraband”), the story revolves around a small-town carpenter named Keller (Jackman) whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller takes the law into his own hands, but in the process runs up against the big city detective assigned to the case.

It speaks to the quality of the material that over the years the project has attracted directors like Bryan Singer, David O. Russell and Daniel Espinosa and stars like Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio and more recently Michael Fassbender (he was offered the lead) -- but it never got off the ground. The film signed up Denis Villeneuve last spring, the man behind the Oscar nominated "Incendies," and this looks like it will be his Hollywood debut.

Jackman is shooting "Les Miserables" which he'll follow with "The Wolverine" and it looks like he'll close out 2012 by lensing "Prisoners" which is eyeing a November 2013 release via Warner Bros. Will this finally put an end to the film's development hell? Let's hope so.

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Applause | March 16, 2012 12:29 AMReply

Very suspensful script , a real page turner especially in the second part, and might suprise a few because it is somewhat on the dark side. Jackman has played obssessive characters in the past ( The Prestige and The Fountain) and this could be right along his alley - it is time that he also focused on dramatic roles ( although the role of Jean Valjean in the movie musical version of LES MISERABLES) in addition to action movies and movie musicals.

The other character is that of the brash young detective with whom the the character of Keller clashes with -- this could be an excellent two-hander. Suspensful and dramatic moments!