• x009 On set: Los Angeles, CA (03/03/21)
• x013 On set: Los Angeles, CA (04/03/21)
• x001 Other
Category: Bullet Train
‘Bullet Train’: Why Brad Pitt and David Leitch’s Assassin Movie Is Such a Hot Property
Producer Kelly McCormick explains why so many people wanted to be involved in the star-studded action flick.
Bullet Train is one of the hot action properties in Hollywood right now. The new film from David Leitch (Atomic Blonde) stars Brad Pitt and revolves around a bullet train full of assassins all connected to a nefarious conspiracy. The packed cast also includes Sandra Bullock, Lady Gaga, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Joey King, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Masi Oka, and Andrew Koji.
Collider’s Steven Weintraub recently spoke to the film’s producer, Kelly McCormick, for her new movie, Nobody, and she revealed that they’ve got about two weeks left of shooting on the film and then many months of post-production. When asked why everyone wants to jump on board, McCormick cited that the premise of the project is a lot of fun for actors who also want to work with Leitch and Pitt.
“I think the combo in what this movie is, which is kind of a crazy crime caper, is a really exciting combo for fans as well as actors,” said McCormick. “I can’t speak more highly of the picture and the experience. Every day is an absolute riot.”
One of the things that was fun about the action on this is the confined space, in that we’re basically on a bullet train for the whole picture. So, how do you… What is creative? What is original? What is fresh, with regards to that? And, that’s been a really fun challenge for David, as well as the action team headed by 2nd unit director Greg Rementer.
Also, some folks may not know that before Leitch was a massively in-demand director, he was Brad Pitt’s stunt double (hence Pitt’s surprise cameo in Deadpool 2). McCormick talked about how the dynamic has shifted now that Leitch is directing Pitt in an action movie and how the actor trained for the role:
To see them together now, you can kind of get hints of what that was, but it’s obviously completely different, because the dynamic is a little bit different. They are extraordinary partners in my opinion and are having a blast. Brad is a generous actor and a good human being. In my opinion, this is a Brad performance that we’ve never seen him do before. It’s light, it’s fun, it’s crazy, and he’s having a ball, I think. And, we are too…He trained a lot. And, part of it, I think is because he’s working for the guy who used to take the punches for him, so he has something to prove. But, even in COVID, early on, before we were shooting, we were going to his house, masking up, getting our tests, and getting him in a fighting shape. It was… He’s been very dedicated to the project.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Bullet Train is the kind of big, blockbuster action spectacle that drives people to the theater, not only with the cast they’ve assembled, but with the set pieces we know Leitch can construct.
Sandra Bullock Joins Brad Pitt In Sony’s Action Movie ‘Bullet Train’
In what would mark the first time the two Oscar winners would cross paths on screen, Sources tell Deadline that Sandra Bullock is joining Brad Pitt in the Sony action pic Bullet Train. Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Masi Oka and Andrew Koji are also on board.
Sony had no comment.
Hobbs & Shaw helmer David Leitch will direct and also supervise the script, which will be written by Zak Olkewicz.
The film is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by bestselling author Kotaro Isaka. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc., who represent Isaka and the IP, are executive producers on the project.
Kelly McCormick will produce Bullet Train through 87North along with Antoine Fuqua. Kat Samick is exec producing and Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures. Plot details are vague, and it is unknown who Bullock will be playing.
It’s quite shocking that even though the two movie stars have been at the top of their game since the early 90s that this would mark the first time either has worked together on a feature film. The closest tie is Bullock recently starring in the Ocean’s Eleven female spin-off, Ocean’s Eight, which was a franchise Pitt helped launch when he starred in the Ocean’s Eleven remake in 2001.
Crew Member Tests Positive for COVID on Brad Pitt Thriller ‘Bullet Train’
Cast and crew members were sent home this week due to a coronavirus scare on the Los Angeles set of “Bullet Train,” the upcoming Brad Pitt action-thriller.
The move was made after an asymptomatic crew person tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with union protocol and out of an abundance of caution, the handful of cast and crew who had contact with the crew member went home and continued to be tested. Pitt was one of the cast members who had been in contact with the crew member.
However, there have been no additional positive test results at this point, insiders say. A source confirmed that Pitt has tested negative multiple times and was one of the members of the group who was sent home. Production on the film is continuing uninterrupted.
A spokesperson for Pitt declined to comment.
Zazie Beetz & Masi Oka and others Join Brad Pitt In Sony’s Action Pic ‘Bullet Train’
Atlanta star Zazie Beetz has rounded out the cast of Sony’s action-thriller Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt. Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Masi Oka, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman and Andrew Koji are also on board.
Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch will direct and also supervise the script, which will be written by Zak Olkewicz.
The film is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by best-selling author Kotaro Isaka. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc., who represent Isaka and the IP, are executive producers on the project.
Brian Tyree Henry Joins Brad Pitt In Sony Action Pic ‘Bullet Train’
Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry is set to join the ensemble of the Sony action-thriller Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt. Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Andrew Koji are also on board.
Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch will direct and also supervise the script, which will be written by Zak Olkewicz.
The film is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by best-selling author Kotaro Isaka. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc., who represent Isaka and the IP, are executive producers on the project.
Kelly McCormick will produce Bullet Train through 87North, along with Antoine Fuqua. Kat Samick is exec producing and Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures.
Plot details are vague and it is unknown who Henry will be playing as well.
‘The Kissing Booth’ Star Joey King Turns Assassin Opposite Brad Pitt in Sony’s ‘Bullet Train’
The Kissing Booth’s Joey King is in negotiations to star opposite Brad Pitt in the action-thriller Bullet Train for Sony Pictures.
Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch will direct and also supervise the script, which will be written by Zak Olkewicz. The film has been moving at light speed since Leitch attached himself last month with Pitt coming on shortly after, marking his first film commitment since winning his first Oscar for acting in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. The film is looking at a fall start in Los Angeles.
The film is based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” by best-selling author Kotaro Isaka. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc., who represent Isaka and the IP, are executive producers on the project.
Brad Pitt Commits To Board ‘Bullet Train’; David Leitch To Helm Sony Pictures Action Film
Brad Pitt is set to star in Bullet Train, the Sony Pictures action movie that just got as director David Leitch, the helmer of Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
Zak Olkewicz wrote the script, based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by Kotaro Isaka. In the novel, five assassins find themselves on a fast-moving bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka with only a few stops in between. They discover their missions are not unrelated to one another. The question becomes, who will make it off the train alive and what awaits them at the terminal station?
Pitt is coming off an Oscar-winning performance in the Quentin Tarantino-directed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The actor is firming up his dance card, eyeing several projects but committing only to this one for now. A start date for later this year is eyed.
Antoine Fuqua developed the project originally with Fuqua Films’ Kat Samick, and they are producing along with Leitch and Kelly McCormick (Atomic Blonde) through their company 87North. Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada of CTB Inc are exec producers and rep Isaka and the IP. Leitch is overseeing a rewrite by Olkewicz to get the film ready to shoot.
Brittany Morrissey is the executive overseeing the project for Sony Pictures. Pitt is repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Harvill Secker will publish the novel Bullet Train in English next year.
