Hitman Script Reviewed

By Darren Bermingham: 2006-08-14 00:00:00

The ever reliable scoopers over at Latino Review have had a look at the new script by Skip Woods, of Swordfish fame, for the soon to be adapted video game franchise Hitman.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the game, allow me to first fill you in on a dose of geekdom: The Hitman series by Eidos Interactive centers on a genetically engineered soldier named simply "47", derived from the barcode on the back of his head. Developed as the perfect killing machine, 47 uses stealth, secrecy, deception and when unavoidable, brute force and impressive firepower to take down his mark.

The game franchise has been one of the most popular and respected on all formats generating three sequels, the latest iteration of which, Hitman: Blood Money, sold in droves which will be nothing but good news for the film developers. As Josh reported a while back, Vin Diesel is in line to portray the lethal assassin.

The script report is somewhat spoiler-lite but does say this about the supposed plot: "Agent 47 apparently left a witness at his last job in Russia so he has to go back to finish the witness off. Upon his return to Russia, everything unravels for 47 and he discovers that he has been set up and now the hunter has become the hunted. 47 also has to stay ahead of Michael Whittier, an ambitious Interpol Agent out of London who has been putting together the paper trail on 47 and hunting him for 3 years now."

Now if you think like I do, so far you've been groaning in boredom at the thought of Diesel in a suit and tie with a gun. I'ts gonna take some convincing to make me believe otherwise but, apparently, there is hope and maybe even a bit of innovation to be had in the form of set-pieces and scope: "In the hands of any other writer and in like any other hitman kind of film, the opening sequence would show the hero/assassin mow down a bunch of bad guys. Boring. Done to death. Put it this way. In the opening pre-credit sequence showing Agent 47 and his handiwork, he does not fire off a single round. His intended target, Bwana Obie, is in Africa and protected like an elder statesman. How Agent 47 executes his target, like he does in the games make you sit back and say - "Oh shit now that is cool!"' They also go on to offer the script an impressive "A".

I know that I, and others, definitley want to see this game made into a film above and beyond many of the other pathetic joystick wagglers which have somehow made it onto the screen. I just hope these guys know what they're doing and don't serve up another stinker. It took only Batman and Robin to virtually kill the Comic Book Movie genre, and considering some of the drivel we've seen, it's frankly a miracle that games haven't suffered the same fate.

With reference to Diesel in the role; No. I don't think he's the right man for the job. He's too big and has too much physical presence to be a stealthy assassin. Who's not gonna know something's up when a bald musclebound maniac comes to the door of a powerful politician delivering pizza or flowers? 47 needs to be invisible, not invincible. Let's just hope they can write around it.

His involvement does actually remind me of another similar casting situation a few years back when producers wanted to cast for a faceless killer who could blend into a crowd and disappear unnoticed. After passing over the talented Lance Henriksen for the part, they eventually hired a not-so-unnoticeable Mr. Universe to play the part. And that movie grew up to be... Terminator. *gasp* I suppose I better give this one a chance.

Here's hoping this great game gets what it deserves on the big screen. LR say: "[the script] stands on it's own merits as a testosterone laced action packed thriller while being faithful to it's video game origins". I'll believe it when I see it.

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Jadiannah Says:
August 14th, 2006 at 22:23
I would appreciate it if people would stop ass-uming whether or not an actor or actress will be great or bomb in a movie they have already ass-umed has been "played out". You are the worst critics to ask because you have closed your minds to the possible and rely on nothing but an ass-umed sure thing!
Thank you, for ass-uming we all want to read your ass-umed opinion.

Vargas Says:
August 14th, 2006 at 23:11
There's no assuming involved. Instead, he's using something called critical thinking. Some call it "thought".

Instead of pooh poohing people for thinking, perhaps you should try it yourself. Consider having an opinion yourself instead of blindly bashing those who do.

aLBeRt™ Says:
August 15th, 2006 at 09:34
I disagree with Vin Diesel to play 47. Do not get me wrong, Vin is good as Riddick and so be it. I would rather see Jason Statham play 47 as he fits the game character well, both in physique and coolness.

Wood Says:
August 20th, 2006 at 21:56
The fact is, Stratham is already a suit-wearing Hitman we all know called the Transporter. Why on earth people think this guy would be better than Vin Diesel as Agent 47 JUST because he is the Transporter is beyond me.

Anyone who played the latest Hitman game can see that 47 is much bulkier than in previous games. 47 Also does not have an accent(which Stratham does). 47's most noticable non-physical feature is his distinct voice, which Diesel will pull off far better than Stratham could IMO.

The only person people really have an argument about getting the job over Diesel would be the game's voice actor David Bateson(who is also an Actor and bears likeness to the game's 47). However this came down to a business decision here, and while Bateson probably could have done a great job - he just didnt have the $$$ factor working for him like a big star such as Diesel.

Dave Says:
February 7th, 2007 at 12:49
any chance of this game-movie getting off the groung will be down to the script. Diesel or Statham wouldnt suit 47 as one is too short (jason) and the other is too dark (vin). go with the games actor and make sure its not to "hollywood". thats my advice because lets face it, its not going to be the next blockbuster. make it something us fans of the series can sit down and watch and say YES thats more like it.

if its done right it could open a whole new way we, and they, look at the game-movie genre and have a positive effect on future releases. imagine it a watchible resident evil. anyway thats my 2 cent.

Mike Says:
May 21st, 2007 at 20:22
Jason Statham doe have the hitman accent he wears hitmans clothes hes got hitmans aspects in physical and social ways he should play hitman

Mike Says:
May 21st, 2007 at 20:23
jason statham does have the hitman accent and he would be way off playing as hitman

Agent 17 Says:
August 23rd, 2007 at 18:52
I think it should either be Vin or David Bateson (the guy from the games). Vin would attract moviegoers because he is well-known and experienced. David Bateson would be good too because he has experience with the character and he's got the voice of 47.

As far as the plot goes, it sounds like something for a Jason Bourne movie, which is pretty good. It is partially derived from Hitman 2. In this game, one of your first hits is a general in St. Petersburg, Russia. Near the end of the game, you are called to hit the russian mob boss who is behind the abduction of your mentor. This job, however, is a setup. you go in with nothing except your fiber wire and a sniper rifle that shoots blanks. Your "target" is a life-sized piece of cardboard with the enemy painted on the front side. There are tons of Desert Eagle-wielding thugs and a powerful sniper who turns out to be none other than a 47 clone, 17.

If they do it right, this could be a very good movie.

Justin Credible Says:
November 4th, 2007 at 04:17
NO, NO, NO. Vin Diesel will NEVER make a good agent 47. he is the WORST actor EVER in history. he was only good in fast and the furious, because of his big and bad nature. Vin will NOT fit the part of agent 47. EVER. did anyone here see XXX, it sucked,because he was in it. If he is in hitman it will suck as well. OH and by the way He will not attract any movie goers. HE is a SUCKY ACTOR.

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Hitman Script Reviewed

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