With THE NEON DEMON out on Blu-ray/DVD and delivering everything you'd expect from a Nicolas Winding Refn film, it's time to take a look at the filmmaker's future. Refn has said before that he'd like to tackle the spy genre in a film that would be a nod to James Bond's DR. NO. So much so that he's working with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (SKYFALL, CASINO ROYALE) on his next project, THE AVENGING SILENCE. So what's this film about?
A former European spy, accepts a confidential mission from a Japanese businessman exiled to France to take down the head of the most treacherous Yakuza boss in Japan.
Sounds like your standard spy thriller, but thanks to an in-depth synopsis released by the Crouching Tigers Project Lab, we now have a much greater idea of what to expect with Refn's latest. Check it out!
The spy was one of the leading spies in Europe. An injury inflicted to his vocal cords during a failed mission six years ago left him mute, forcing him to leave his profession. Now, six years later, he is sought out and put on confidential assignment by a former Yakuza, now a retired Japanese businessman in exile in France, to track down and kill the head of the most dangerous Yakuza family in Japan.
Afraid of flying, our spy anonymously boards a cargo ship headed for Tokyo. An onboard explosion sinks the ship and our spy finds himself washed ashore on a life raft in southern Japan. As a mute, our spy must silently journey through Japan seeking 4 clues – symbolizing conquest, war, famine, and death – which will guide him to the unknown location of the Yakuza boss. Meanwhile, the Yakuza boss, known for his 2004 mass slaughter of Yakuza members who had turned against him, is believed to be plotting to reenter the Japanese underworld after living in his own surreptitious world in the mountains, void of all technology. This way of life becomes an obsession for the Yakuza boss. Rumors spread that he had committed suicide years ago but escaped prisoners from his hidden camp told stories of his plan for a comeback. Now rival Yakuza families suspect he is forming a master plan to return, a plan that unburies the most infamous story of Yakuza betrayal.
Our spy finds himself on an existential journey through Japan in search of pieces to the puzzle that will lead him to a confrontation with the ultimate Yakuza boss in a terrifying conclusion.
I think it's cute that Refn has worked in a plot point that explains why his lead character won't talk much this time around. In any case, THE AVENGING SILENCE is being listed as "in development" so it's not a sure thing yet. I really hope it does get the green light, however, as it seems like it could be a solid commercial success. Now, don't get me wrong; I really enjoy Refn's "out there" sensibilities, but I think he could craft a hell of a commercial film if given the opportunity. DRIVE was pretty close, so I see no reason why the man couldn't take turns making commercial and artistic endeavors. After all, he's a real human bean. With that said, are we already pegging Ryan Gosling for the lead?