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EXCLUSIVE: After trying since 2008 to turn Vince Flynn’s bestselling novel series into an action franchise, CBS Films thinks it has found the actor to play terrorist hunter Mitch Rapp. I’m told that CBS Films has offered Chris Hemsworth $10 million to star in American Assassin.
While it is the 11th book in Flynn’s series of espionage novels, American Assassin is an ideal place to start a movie franchise. The novel is a prequel that explains how tragedy transformed Rapp from a college scholar and athlete into a ruthless hunter of terrorists for the CIA. Bruce Willis is also in talks, to play Rapp’s mentor. The film will be directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff, who has covered the terrorist hunting terrain directing episodes of Showtime’s Homeland and also helming the Don Cheadle thriller Traitor. Nachmanoff also co-wrote with Roland Emmerich The Day After Tomorrow and helmed the pilot for the Dick Wolf-produced NBC series Chicago Fire.
The most recent script draft was written by Mike Finch, who took over a draft written by Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, when Zwick was going to direct. CBS Films Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Nick Wechsler are producing.
Hemsworth is proving to be a go-to young guy for big ticket Hollywood fare, particularly after he was part of the blockbuster The Avengers and also Snow White And The Huntsman. He’s shooting a Thor sequel and then will star in the Steven Spielberg-directed Robopocalypse, with Anne Hathaway. Let’s see how this one plays out.
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He’s worth every penny. Hemsworth is the next big star. Not Channing Tatum. Hemsworth has chops, screen presence, charisma, and magnetism. Tatum has a pretty face and abs. Nothing more.
I fail to see how this actor can pass as a middle easterner, which Rapp does often. And when they bring Rapp into the present (in Pursuit of Honor) Rapp was is his 40′s. How is that going to work with this kid? I can’t wait to see the movie but I think they should have started with a more current book. It would be easier to go back and find a young actor to play a young Rapp. Plus, part of the mystic of Rapp is wondering how he became the total bad ass that he is.
American Assassin is at the beginning of Rapp’s career so he’s not in his forties.
You missed my point. In Pursuit of Honor Rapp is in his 40′s. If it becomes a sequel, how are you going to make this kid look 40 something. You don’t. You have to go to a different actor. Chris can play a young Rapp but not Rapp in the present. I still think Chris is not how Rapp is described in the books. Jon Hamm or Javier Bardem look more the part.
I agree with Gunny in that he’s too much of a “pretty boy” and how will he ever pass as a middle easterner, whether he be cast as a 28 yr. old or a 40 yr old as in later books. These casting directors need to read the books, not just rewrite and make their own script.
Kind of like Bruce Willis as Hurley. What do y’all think of who should play Irene Kennedy? Or Stansfeld?
Make-up
Yeah, I remember Rapp telling Coleman not to come with him at the end of consent to kill because his blond hair makes him stand out too much and he can fit in with the middle easterners better. Maybe he could play Coleman the former navy seal. But he would have to be older. Maybe Dolph Lundgren? lol. He would fit the profile pretty much perfectly…but in my opinion he’s too “arnold schwarzenneger-like” with the accent and all.
Great choice! He is hot, a good actor and Big. Not like Tom Cruise in the Reacher part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rapp is not supposed to have a “pretty face”. Handsome yes, but pretty no.
I love the Mitch Rapp books by Vince Flynn. John Stamos would be good for current Mitch but Chris is good for the younger Mitch. They can always darken his hair and face. But you can’t change the height and build. Mitch Rapp has to be lightning quick and look very dangerous.
Love Hemsworth, but surprised CBS Films is behind such a right wing series. Liberal Hollywood anyone?
Guessing you don’t go to the movies often, particularly during the summer.
So killing terriosts is right wing????? Maybe in you and your girly men friends minds. We have Mitch Rapps out there and thank God for them. But then again, they are real men. You wouldn’t be able to relate to that. You leftys will never understand that these terriosts types want to kill you AND your children. Wake up.
I agree with you, Jim. And although those novels are chock-full of Conservative dogma, Flynn does know how to tell a story and Mitch Rapp is a terrific character. Also, Hemsworth is young enough to ensure he can make a lot of these, if he so chooses.
No way Hemsworth does this, he’s got the world at his feet now, and enough common sense not to step into a C-level attempt at spy franchise with a minor league label like CBS. That place needs to replace Wolfgang to have any shot at building up a real slate.
This series is a franchise in the making and Hemsworth is the perfect Mitch Rapp. Vince Flynn’s books are the perfect combination of Bourne and Jack Ryan and for my dollar are superior to both.
Sorry but my son won’t do this movie for less than $13 million. Thor Odinson is a God and you puny mortals have to understand he is destined to rule all the realms throughout the universe. You will pay him what he’s worth and you will kneel down and kiss his feet as you hand him his money he is to be paid in ice blue diamonds and nothing else. Now cower in fear you worthless slugs for I have spoken. Let it be written, let it be done.
Think you’re thinking of the OTHER Hemsworth here. Liam is the one in Hunger Games not Chris, but you’re right they look like the same person and many cant tell the different so one of them has to step back and and the let the other lead charge soon or they’ll both cancel each other out and hollywood will spit them both out to nothing.
They look like brothers but that’s about it. The big difference is that Chris looks more mature even though he’s in his late twenties and he gives a different much bigger than life vibe onscreen. I think the brothers will each be drawn to different types of films in their careers so no need to cancel each other out.
I love these books and I’m a lefty, he’s a better idea than Bruce Willis, right age.
Thanks for the false hype Wolfgang, and congrats on changing your last name to Heizenberg, long overdue.
Big fan of Mitch Rapp. Would not have thought of Chris Hemsworth for the lead as he is a bit young. That being said, he can do a great job as Mitch, and surrounded by a solid production…this can be a strong franchise.
Just remember, Chris…Mitch Rapp is the most focused, skilled and feared anti terrorist dude on the planet…who also happens to interact with the president and others on the top of the American political landscape…and, he takes no fucking prisoners.
Do it Chris.
this movie is based on the prequel book ‘American Assassin’ in which Mitch Rapp is just starting out and still young…I don’t want to be an asshole, but reading comprehension helps in times like this
Hey Jack,
American Assassin was written last and is, indeed, the prequel of Mitch Rapp. However, all the other novels take place several years later and Mitch Rapp is well into his thirties.
So, in a few years if this is franchise successful, Chris would be playing the older Mitch Rapp. As I said, Chris could play this, but I did not see him as Rapp originally.
Okay, Jack?
Chris Hemsworth recently turned 29 so I’m not seeing the problem right now with his age.
right wing wet dream. it is intellectually on the same level as Twilight.
What the hell are you talking about. What the hell is a right wing wet dream? Is everyone that wants to keep our country safe ‘right wing’? Maybe we should just ask them not to attack us again. Maybe you could fly over and be real nice and ask them. Let me know how that works out for you. Oh yea, you can’t, because your head will be sawed off and videotaped while they do it. These Islamic fundamentalists are animals. They understand one thing. Violence.
Semper Fi.
That is a great paycheck compared to what Marvel The Avengers gave him. He supposedly got from 2-4 million. And that movie made over a billion dollars! Does anyone know for sure how much money he got paid?
two words- record business
if the movie business doesnt become more cost conscious and stop
a stupid compeition- at elast economically for talent then the
core business will go the way of records and I hope the executives understand they will be making 25% of their salaries if that happens.
exisitng in the rarefied artifical world of studios and aspen
there is no economic reality.
could this be good- of course it can but it could more easily
be the next John Carter of Mars.
Where is Sumner Redstone when stockholders need him
I hope Anne Hathaway is not his love interest in Spielberg movie. Yuck! Hemsworth should have demanded someone who can act.
Amused, did you see Anne Hathaway in TDKR, her wonderful Oscar -nominated turn in Rachel Getting Married, and her great work on SNL ? She is easily one of the best actresses in business, plus she is extremely versatile. Spielberg approved Anne, not Hemsworth, and he knows great talent when he sees it.
Yes, in this prequel, Mitch Rapp is in his twenties – just like Chris Hemsworth – he gets older as the series goes on. So no worries.
Now this is good news. Much better than little Tom Cruise playing 6’5″ Jack Reacher (what a joke…)
10M???????????? That is just wrong. Look we agree he has acting / onscreen vibe / popular name – but that doesnt make him more a box office draw. In my opinion, both he & Chris Evans still at the same level – though yes Chris has Snow White but it still has Charlize & KStew. Chris, Charlize & KStew alone cant open a film – they need the combination.
LOOK AT ANNE HATHAWAY! One Day & Love/Drugs flop hard. However, if this one get released after Robocalypse it can still have a lot of good will.
To truly break out AS NOT-JUST-THE-THOR-GUY he need one special film. Will Robocalypse do that & pave the way for THIS? Or he will be facing Taylor Lautner? (though in part TL doesnt act though – im just saying he get hypedd and then can probably flop u know
)
ilikechrisenoughbut , do your proper research. Love and other drugs and one day die well worldwide. These movies cost little to make, and they made a profit.
I ment did well worldwide.
Great property wrong studio. Chris take the money and run!
I’m reading my 10th Vince Flynn Rapp novel now… And much as I like Chris Hemsworth he seems a poor fit for the actual look of the character as portrayed in the books (and given the situations going into, I believe it is quite important) ie. fitting into middle eastern countries and soviet block countries with dark olive complexion and a hint of the Arabic swarthiness that allows him to blend in in a wide range of arenas for his vast undercover work…
I know they can do a helluva lot with make up and what not (I still shudder when I remember what was done to te gorgeous Charlize in Monster!) but it has to very clearly have no element of the big blonde, blue eyed heartthrob if you know what I mean?
(still and infinitely better choice than midget whack job for Jack Reacher)
Chris cannot play a middle eastern guy he does not fit the Rapp mold he is to tall to pretty. Love the books hate the choice! Get another actor.
I think American Assassin is a great book and should be an awesome movie if they don’t veer off course. Mitch Rapp is definitely the baddest operative in the world and he would’ve been a tough character for anyone to portray on screen but Hemsworth definitely has the skills so we’ll see. I would love Bruce Willis to play Stan Hurley because that will be a critical role for success. I have had a tough time casting Irene Kennedy as she will also be a very critical character in the movies. She is the only person Rapp trusts so she’d have to be able to be young enough now and than grow older if more movies are made. The only woman I could think of is Jennifer Garner. I guess we’ll see!!! I can’t wait to see Rapp slaying them terroist one head shot at a time!! Just don’t FU$K it up Hollywood!
At first I thought Jodie Foster would be perfect to play Irene Kennedy, but now I’m really liking Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) Your thoughts?
that’s funny as I was talking to a friend recently and we both agreed that Jodie foster would make a great Irene. We’ll see…
I see Lisa Edelstein as a good choice for Kennedy, but I could see Margulies in the role as well. I like Willis playing Hurley, and another choice would be Sam Elliott. For the role of Stansfield, I think Patrick Bauchau would be an awsome choice.
Diane Lane would also be a solid choice to play Irene Kennedy.
I agree with you. Diane Lane would be an excellent choice to play Irene Kennedy. Great pick!
Kabbe,
Based on your ignorant statement, I doubt you have read AND completed a Mitch Rapp novel.
I agree with the previous comments that Hemsworth doesn’t fit the description Vince Flynn has provided of Mitch Rapp. He could be O.K. but they need a younger version of Jim Caviezel. Rapp should be a slender, whip quick sort of guy, not the God of Thunder (Thor). I would like to see former JAG actress Catherine Bell play Irene Kennedy.
I agree, someone like Jim Caviezel would make for a great Mitch Rapp. Too bad, he’s too old to play Mitch in American Assassin. Hemmsworth is not the right guy. Thankfully, he’s out as Rapp.
I had thought Vince Flynn wanted to have Mark Wolberg play the part of Mitch Rapp.
I think of Rapp, and I’m thinking brown piercing eyes. I’m thinking Colin Farrell. He was pretty ruthless in Total Recall.
As for Irene Kennedy, I think of the auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail, sexy but a workaholic. I think Debra Messing has enough looks and sophistication to play that role.
I’m thinking Kerri Washington (Scandal, Django) to play Irene.
I think Jim Caviezel of ‘Person of Interest’ would be perfect. Not too old and not too young. Nice looking in a rugged way and phisically fit.