The Punisher is Like a Tank
Filed under: Action, Thrillers, Lionsgate Films, Newsstand, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels, Trailers and Clips
It's the middle of the work week, and I think you need some violence to carry you through the rest. Yahoo! Movies has a new behind-the-scenes clip from Punisher: War Zone, which you can access by clicking the link or the scope of Frank Castle's gun. It's short, but sweet, with some peeks at the glorious violence that will make this a real Christmas treat, at least in my warped out world. There's not much new footage, but you get to hear from Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz, the controversy magnet Lexi Alexander, and producer Gale Anne Hurd.
The best part? Hearing Stevenson's real Northern accent. I wish we had gotten a few more videos like these, Zack Snyder style, showing off the Punisher's hardware or something. My fondness for Stevenson has been well documented here, so you will sneer at that wish, but they really needed to sell their new Frank Castle. I'm convinced he's the perfect guy for the part, I just hope the film lets him prove it. If nothing else, at least we get to see someone killed by chair leg. I know that scene alone is going to be responsible for 95% of the tickets sold.
The best part? Hearing Stevenson's real Northern accent. I wish we had gotten a few more videos like these, Zack Snyder style, showing off the Punisher's hardware or something. My fondness for Stevenson has been well documented here, so you will sneer at that wish, but they really needed to sell their new Frank Castle. I'm convinced he's the perfect guy for the part, I just hope the film lets him prove it. If nothing else, at least we get to see someone killed by chair leg. I know that scene alone is going to be responsible for 95% of the tickets sold.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-19-2008 @ 10:34PM
RAMPAGE said...
If anything, Gale Anne Hurd is the "controversy magnet." She's been involved in major disputes with the real creative teams behind both THE INCREDIBLE HULK and now PUNISHER: WAR ZONE.
I really hope she stops getting work.
PUNISHER: WAR ZONE enters theaters on December 5th!!!
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11-20-2008 @ 1:01AM
Mr_A said...
... all due respect, but "the best part" being his "northern accent?" Certainly I hope you aren't referring to the flick. FYI, any fan of the Punisher (those who would really benefit) will be appalled. Castle is of Italian heritage.
I stopped watching the clip after a few seconds. I am by far a huge fan of the Punisher comics, and I just don't want to see another interpretation of how it all started. So, that being said, this is obviously not a sequel to Jane's attempt, if a few seconds in we see a shot of the slain family. So, that leads me to believe, that if the original script for this "installment" included that shot, it's no wonder Jane didn't sign.
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11-20-2008 @ 1:07AM
Elisabeth said...
I was referring to Ray Stevenson's Northern accent -- he hails from Northern England.
If you had watched the clip for a few seconds, you would have seen Stevenson's introduction, where he uses his real-life accent. He uses an American accent in the film, obviously.
11-20-2008 @ 4:49PM
K Love said...
Rampage is right. Damn right. There is nothing controversial about trying to make a good Punisher movie. Smart stuff like... basing it on the comics, coming up with a visual style, fighting for actors who make the characters come to life.
All of Lexi's cast and crew has acknowledged that she had to fight for them. When Ray was presented with the script that was later tossed in the trash by all accounts, he tried to turn it down, but who convinced him to sign on with the promise of a better script? Lexi Alexander did, by Ray's own admission.
Steve Gainer, the man responsible for executing the movie's lighting schemes and photography with Lexi, was told by the studio and Marvel that they just "didn't see Punisher on his reel." But who fought to keep him? Lexi did, by Steve's own admission.
Nobody who worked on that film has even credited the studio or Hurd with any work on or dedication to the film... in fact they've actually stated that Lexi was left to do the film by herself with little to no support. So when you use the word "controversial" maybe you should apply it to controversial producer Gale Anne Hurd, or controversial studio Lionsgate, not the one person who had the stamina and the nerve to film a movie in about as poor an environment (physical environment and business environment) as a movie could be filmed.
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11-20-2008 @ 4:59PM
Elisabeth said...
It was a poor choice of words -- I didn't mean it as a slight on Alexander, but rather to comment on how ALL the film's summer buzz was focused on whether or not she was still involved with the film. I didn't mean to imply that she was to be blamed for it, but that she was the target...but hey, it didn't come off well, so I apologize.
If you go back through my Punisher posts, I've been in Alexander's corner all along. I find many of the attacks on her to smack of sexism more than deserved criticism. On the other hand, I have tried to be neutral as we simply DON'T know the whole story, and no official statements have ever been released from anyone except Steve Gainer. But, either way, it was a poor choice of words on my part.
11-26-2008 @ 2:06AM
hmmmm said...
Wow you must know Lexi or she promised you something
11-20-2008 @ 5:13PM
Julie said...
OMG This is going to be so hot. I can't wait. Ok, I love Ray Stevenson, but I love all that brutality too. Can't wait.
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11-22-2008 @ 2:54PM
Wingit4me said...
Thank you Elizabeth. I am a serious fan of Ray Stevenson and appreciate your attitude.
11-26-2008 @ 2:06AM
mp said...
Nothing poor choice, in fact, I'm sure Lexi welcomes the "controversy" compliment - it keeps her in the know. The real test is on the screen where it belongs.
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11-27-2008 @ 1:10PM
Bugs said...
Finally, Castle!
I got just a weeee problem with the spinning chandelier shooting spree (definitely UN-Castle), Julie Benz's terrible acting "Who punishes yoouuu?" and the absolutely HORRIBLE thrash soundtrack.
What are we, raving psychos that need to be PUMPED into seeing this movie? Please. Hard music, ok. Not psycho music.
When I found out just yesterday, that Hensleigh (2004 director) is the HUSBAND of Gale Ann Hurd, ah!, everything came into perspective. I wish she'd stayed with James Cameron...
Still, these are minor points, all of which I am prepared to forgive. Why?
Because, hot dang, I see Castle!
Hear that Gale? Hands off! Lexi, in my opinion from the trailers and clips I've seen, has done a WONDERFUL job. So far, even if the other 90% of unseen footage is CRAP, it will STILL be far superior's to Hensleigh's. Again, my opinion.
What makes Castle unique is his determined and pathological hatred. His complexity derives from the methodical strategy he puts into murdering criminals, not the pathos of his life on the dark side. C'mon.
He's a sociopathic killer with an assassin's touch and a Marine's weapons training. That's it.
Only WAY to mess it up is by having him talk too much. So keep it short, terse with a touch of black humor and should do.
"Sometimes, I'd like to get my hands on God."
Cooool.
That's Castle.
Peace.
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