For a script that’s had an awful lot of interest and buzz, Aaron Guzikowski’s Prisoners is having a lot of difficulty making it to the screen. First it had Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg attached to it, but they were dropped when the company that bought the script, Alcon Entertainment, decided to lower the budget and fast-track it, so that it would be in cinemas this year, hiring Antoine Fuqua to get the project going as soon as possible.
However, the film still hasn’t gone in front of the cameras, and despite reports a while back that Hugh Jackman was thinking of starring, he’s since gone off to pastures new. Now Deadline Hollywood reports that Antoine Fuqua has dropped out altogether. There’s a new star in the frame though, with Leo DiCaprio said to be very interested in the project. His involvement is heavily dependent on who directing though, as he’s very particular about who he works with, so until they find a new Leo approved helmer, the actor won’t sign on and Alcon with have to wait even longer to get Prisoners in cinemas.
So what exactly is this script about that’s got everyone so excited? Well, it’s described as Mystic River meets Taken, about a small-town man (which would be DiCaprio’s part) who becomes frustrated after the police fail to find who kidnapped his daughter and her friend. He takes matters into his own hands when he takes hostage the person he thinks is responsible, which brings him into conflict with the policeman assigned to the case.
Even if Leo does sign up for Prisoners, it seems Alcon is going to have to accept they won’t get it in cinemas anytime soon, depite their initial hopes, as DiCaprio is likely to make another movie first before taking on Prisoners.