“Guys. I’m doing Death Wish. But this version is a re-imagining of the book and set in present day Los Angeles. The L.A. of Collateral…”
“It’s on buses, cabs, metro trains. I want to show an unseen version of L.A. L.A. on foot. Prowling. Hunting. The vast emptiness of downtown…”
“[Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn] did a phenomenal job shooting L.A. It took on a different dimension. That’s the key.”
COLLATERAL is a phenomenal film, and if it is the compass that Carnahan is using to guide his version of DEATH WISH then I feel much better about this whole thing. The sprawl of Los Angeles provides a wonderful variety of places for the new Paul Kersey to play in, and I do believe that a director with the passion, drive (hehe), and technical strength of Carnahan will be able reveal some fascinating things about the city. And it’s really great to see Carnahan fully intent on bringing something new to the story that isn’t just interesting but actually serves to reveal something about the character of Paul Kersey.
Oh, and after all this another tweet was sent along inquiring “no Escobar film Joe?” To which Carnahan replied “[Killing] Pablo is basically greenlit guys. That one isn’t going anywhere. Promise… KP is happening. I’m not letting that one slip away.”