'Smokin' Aces' Prequel is a Go
Filed under: Action
Anticipation for some films burns like a white hot ember, while others inspire a resounding "meh!". Empire Movie News has posted that the prequel to 2006's Smokin' Aces -- which was written and directed by Joe Carnahan -- is moving forward. As Carnahan posted on his official site, "Finally, some actual Smokin' Aces news. Universal has officially greenlit the prequel and we are underway. Cameos will abound. Trust me."Smokin' Aces told the story of Buddy Israel, (Jeremy Piven) a coked up Vegas performer who is about to testify against the mob. Once the news of the one million dollar contract on Buddy's head hits the streets, pretty much everyone in the western hemisphere who knows how to use a gun is out to blow him away. Since the original film took an "everybody dies" approach, the prequel seems like the smart way to go, though it remains to be seen how many members of the original (and pretty damn impressive) cast will be coming back. The Empire article suggests that the prequel might go straight to DVD, but time will tell.
Personally I find myself in the "meh" category. The original was a staccato barrage of violence that tried to be Pulp Fiction for people with short attention spans. Given the facts that the original currently has a 27% rotten rating at Rottentomatoes.com and that it pulled in a mere $35 million during its theatrical run, I can't imagine too many folks are salivating in anticipation of the further adventures of Buddy Israel and the many people who want him dead. What do we think, people? Does the world need a Smokin' Aces prequel?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-06-2008 @ 1:40PM
Brian said...
Loved the cast, didn't really like the story.
It was too bad they couldn't get all those talented actors a better script, because the potential for all those guys in the same movie was great.
As far as a prequel, this is a bad idea. They already gave us the one big reveal at the end, so what are they going to tell us about the story that we don't already know??
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11-06-2008 @ 1:58PM
AdamM said...
I think they should make it just so we can see the trailer. The Smokin' Aces trailer was one of the best in the last couple years. The movie was a letdown though.
http://www.zuguide.com/Smokin-Aces.html
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11-06-2008 @ 2:33PM
Riley Freeman said...
i was not a fan of the original either. it just seemed like pure violence and not much else. however i think a prequel could do this movie good. it would finally give story to all the characters provided they all return. unfortunately it would be hard for it to pull in big bucks because a lot of people may not remember it therefore they wont understand it
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11-06-2008 @ 3:41PM
mezzanine said...
I thought it was a pretty good action movie, I'd definitely rent the prequel.
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11-06-2008 @ 4:13PM
Andy said...
I enjoyed Smokin' Aces. Reviewers seem to (unfairly) love comparing it to Pulp Fiction - which I find pretty annoying. Ok, so it has some kooky characters and perhaps an attempt at some Tarantino-esque dialogue, but that's literally where the comparison ends.
However, I'm pretty 'meh' about a prequel too.
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11-06-2008 @ 4:43PM
carg0 said...
you gotta be kidding me...
whoever approved that deserves a shovel to the back of the head. (hey, how about a prequel to 'Love Guru' while were at it.)
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11-17-2008 @ 12:56PM
Des Boccuto said...
Loved the cast. The script could have been slightly stronger, but I still thought it was a great movie.
I love the idea that they're going to do a sequel but the first script seemed like it was supposed to stop with Buddy Isreal dying in a hospital ward and Director Locke banging on glass.
I dont know if the Sequel can even be close to the first. Also, if the general oppion is that the first was sub-par (which I disagree)then Im not sure how they can make the second script tie in with the first.
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11-26-2008 @ 11:19PM
marty said...
Why not, I loved the movie, bought the cd. Sound track was also awesome. Makes you wonder if a real Buddy Israel was out there under the same circumstances, just how many hired killers would do the same thing for the price.
There is so many angles the prequel could go and be as entertaining as the first.
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