Tommy Lee Jones Joins Luc Besson's Darkly Comedic Actioner 'Malavita'

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by Benjamin Wright
June 29, 2012 12:36 PM
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We’ve given a lot of credit to Tommy Lee Jones recently for his willingness to step out so late in his career and try on different hats, like writing, directing, and starring in the pioneer-era tale “The Homesman,” as well as going a little more comedic (and raunchy) than he’s used to in the Meryl Streep co-starring “Hope Springs.” And now he’s set to star in a dark comedy/action mish-mash for Luc Besson. While other aging talent remains comfortable turning in repetitive or forgetable performances, Jones just keeps on rolling.

Variety has the word that Jones is in final negotiations to play an FBI agent in the film “Malavita,” which already stars Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer as a long-married couple with Mafia ties (surprise!) who are relocated to France through a witness protection program in an effort to hide their past – yet they still find a way to get back into “the business.” Jones will play De Niro’s FBI sponsor or handler, who we’re assuming will have more than a few headaches as he tries to keep the family straight in their new lives. Based on the Tonino Benacquista novel “Badfellas,” Besson adapted the novel along with “The Sopranos” scribe Michael Caleo – and will be serving as director and producer as well.

Sounds like a project that’s firmly in the wheelhouse of all involved. Production is set for an August start, with the film set to bow in 2013, so we’ll be eager to see what Besson whips up with this promising cast.

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