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Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham Join 13 Tzameti Remake
by Alex Billington
October 21, 2008
Actors Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham have joined alongside of 50 Cent and Sam Riley in Géla Babluani's action thriller 13. The film is an English-language (read "Hollywood") remake of Babluani's own film 13 Tzameti which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2006. Géla Babluani himself is writing and directing the remake for Paramount Vantage. Production begins on November 17th in and around New York City. The story follows a man who steals a mysterious package that promises to pay out a fortune. The original film received numerous awards but only played to a total of $121K at the box office in 2006.
Sebastian, a young man, has decided to follow instructions intended for someone else, without knowing where they will take him. Something else he does not know is that Gerard Dorez, a cop on a knife-edge, is tailing him. When he reaches his destination, Sebastian falls into a degenerate, clandestine world of mental chaos behind closed doors in which men gamble on the lives of others men. Described as "simple and easy to follow" with "tension throughout" and "atmosphere remaining taut right to the end." Sounds like it could be great as a remake, especially with Babluani writing and directing all over again.
I'm excited to already see Mickey Rourke picking up additional roles, as he'll be making one hell of a comeback later this year with The Wrestler. And there's obviously no going wrong with Statham and Riley, but 50 Cent aka Curtis Jackson?! Not only is he a terrible actor, but he's guaranteed box office poison! Everything about this remake sounds great except for him and I'm honestly worried that this is going to get buried because of him. Has anyone seen the original film?
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16 Comments
1
And we see the remake disease is getting worse. Not happy about this remake. more so if 50 cent is really in this. But i guess at least Géla is writing/directing.
Red Buttons on Oct 21, 2008
2
OH boy! (thats the bad oh boy!)
Max Russian on Oct 21, 2008
3
50 Cents role will not define this movie considering the other actors that are here to cast a shadow over his performance. For example, just because Katie Holmes was terrible in Batman Begins doesnt mean that movie didnt kick ass. By the way, Mickey Rourke is a bad ass!
TBone on Oct 21, 2008
4
The original film is great. I was surprised by the plot and what happens.
Film-Book dot Com on Oct 21, 2008
5
At first I was thinking of "13: Game of Death" ("13 game sayawng"). That was an awesome film. I've never heard of "13 Tzameti". So doing a remake isn't always a bad thing. It exposes a film to people who otherwise wouldn't have been aware of it in the first place.
kevjohn on Oct 21, 2008
6
good comparison TBone...not! legendary iconic franchise hit superhero Batman vs. remake of no-name foreign film with b-list actors....ya 50 cent fits right in there with Katie Holmes tard
madsen on Oct 21, 2008
7
Damn why fiffy why? As much as i loved this movie, Jason and Mickey are gonna be good. BUT WHY A FUCKING REMAKE...... Pick up one of the many million books out there and make a movie out of that. Stop raping us!!!!!!!!!!!
REAL6 on Oct 21, 2008
8
We played the original film at the theater I work at, and it really is a tense, dark film. I would not call it an "action thriller," though, so this description scares me. 13 Tzameti is, in many ways, unique. I think that making a more Hollywood version will make it a movie that too many people will feel like they have already seen, because an action/intrigue movie is not all that new. I think 13 Tzameti worked well because it was all about mood and pace. I don't see those being the same with this cast. Babluani, though, could surprise me, since he is directing this version as well, so I am (albeit reluctantly) crossing my fingers for a smooth English-language remake.
Sarah on Oct 21, 2008
9
Agree with # 6 that #3 comparing Holmes to double quarter doesn't work at all for this film... ...and for the record I thought Katie was much better in Batman Begins than Maggie in TDK, but I don't want to turn this board into yet another discussion on TDK.
Peloquin on Oct 21, 2008
10
@6 I quote you..."ya 50 cent fits right in there with Katie Holmes" Im pretty sure Im saying the same thing, so maybe you should increase your intelligence or stick to things you know, which im guessing is anime, or star trek or something 'awesome' (haha) like that tard @9 Just because kaite holmes was better than maggie doesnt mean katie holmes was any good...
TBone on Oct 21, 2008
11
where did sarcasm go.?>
Red Buttons on Oct 21, 2008
12
Who agrees, Mickey Rourke would best suit AKUMA in Street Fighter movie in near future??!!
Fearl3ss on Oct 21, 2008
13
who agrees Mickey Rourke would best suit AKUMA in Street Fighter movie in near future??!!
Fearl3ss on Oct 21, 2008
14
the original 13 Tzameti film was really really good. I hope this remake does it justice.
Namelessted on Oct 22, 2008
15
the original was a phenomenal film, simple.. stylistic... an easy to follow even if u dont speak the language....
Alex on Nov 3, 2008
16
I saw the original 13 Tzameti it is a very good movie. I must say interested in the new one because of Jason and Mickey. The original is Russian roulette on steroids literally .Not for the sqeamish
Fritz Reid on Dec 7, 2010
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