Ridley Scott Says Lensing On 'The Counselor' Will Begin This June, A Week After 'Prometheus' Hits Theaters

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by Simon Dang
March 27, 2012 9:38 AM
6 Comments

"Don't play with the devil, don't step across the line, don't think you can do it and get away with it. You can't."

That's the haunting summary by director Ridley Scott of the Cormac McCarthy script "The Counselor," which he's set to tackle this summer with Michael Fassbender starring and big names like Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Jeremy Renner and Natalie Portman among those being sought and eyeing roles in the film.

"We start a week after 'Prometheus' comes out," the director told Empire. "It has a classic Cormac McCarthy darkness which makes you sick to the pit of your stomach. It's really frightening [and] there are five wonderful characters with honestly some of the best dialogue I've ever read."

Quite the compliment from a veteran director like Scott, and this is the sort of praise McCarthy has been earning throughout the bulk of his writing career. The author of such acclaimed novels as "No Country For Old Men," "The Road" and "Blood Meridian," McCarthy's first venture into screenwriting here centers on Fassbender's titular character -- an attorney, whose name we never learn -- who is in search of a big payday after he proposes to his girlfriend, Laura. So he hooks up with Reiner, an acquaintance with deep criminal ties, for a new business proposition: they'll take $20 million worth of cocaine from south of the border and offload it themselves, aided by the no-good Westray. As you might imagine, things do not go well for anyone involved.

Our script review provides much greater insight into the five major characters that Scott mentions (you can also check out our own casting choices there) and, with a top notch talent already circling this "bleak, beautiful" tale, it shouldn't be too long until things are finalized. Unfortunately, a summer start likely means we're still a full year or so away from seeing "The Counselor" on the big screen. In the meantime, we guess this "Prometheus" thing Scott's putting out in the summer will have to suffice.

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More: Ridley Scott, The Counselor, Michael Fassbender, Cormac McCarthy

6 Comments

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Lucy | March 28, 2012 12:00 AMReply

Excited! I hope Portman gets it. I want her to show more of her range and I also I want to see her with Michael Fassbender. Take the role Natalie.
Tom | March 27, 2012 4:21 PMReply

I thought Portman was not confirmed...?
Rah-al | April 1, 2012 10:46 PM

The article says Portman is "being sought and eying the role". Meaning they want her and she is meeting with them but no offer has been made. That was reported previously by Twitch. A fan site is not run by an actor's rep but by fans. I will go with the word of a reporter over a fan who has no connections in the business.
Tom | March 28, 2012 1:44 AM

I did read what was written. Maybe I should have said- I thought Portman was not even circling this project. Someone who runs her fan-site commented on an earlier post that Portman was not even in talks. Also, I don't like your tone!
Yod | March 27, 2012 11:34 PM

Try reading what was written.
James | March 27, 2012 10:22 AMReply

The fact that Scott is in his mid 70s and is turning out these big ambitious movies is simply an inspiration. Long may he continue.