Deathgames is due to start filming in Louisiana next month (May), and is the pet project of Jonah Loop (The Transporter 2), who’s moving away from his work as a visual effects supervisor to make this indie action thriller, which will be his first ever directing project.
It’s due to star Kellan Lutz (Twilight) in the lead role, which will see him kidnapped, and forced to fight for his life in a modern day gladiatorial arena, all to entertain the masses of people watching online, making it essentially an amalgamation of Unleashed, Gamer, Untraceable, and Gladiator, ish.
Also currently in negotiations to appear in Deathgames, is Samuel L. Jackson, a man that never shys away from a modestly budgeted indie flick, if he thinks it’ll be fun or interesting (just take Snakes on a Plane); and Deathgames definitely has a modest budget, having a mere $10 million to spend (which is actually the same amount that Sam’s was paid for Shaft). If he signs The King Of Cool will be playing the pivotal role of the sadistic man who orchestrates them games, all from the comfort of his computer lair (which sounds a lot like Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget), where twin ladies seek to fulfil his every whim and desire.
The film does have promise, but also a huge amount of potential for becoming a filmic train wreck; mixing Inspector Gadget, Untraceable, and Gamer, probably never even crossed Scorsese’s mind (but then again, that could be the reason why it took him 40 years to finally nab a Best Director Oscar); and simply including an easily bankable star like Jackson doesn’t mean that it will be a success, just look at Unthinkable (the trailer can be seen below); a thriller with terrorists, torture, bombs, and not only Samuel L., but Trinity from The Matrix (Carrie-Anne Moss), which is bypassing U.K. cinemas altogether and heading straight-to-DVD.
It’s too early to tell what Deathgames is going to turn out like, but for anyone that simply can’t wait to see Sam back on the big-screen, he will be appearing as the cool (but usually white) super-spy, Nick Fury, in Iron Man 2 this summer, and a string of other Marvel movies later on, such as Thor, The Avengers, and the upcoming Captain America movie.
