Monday
03Nov2008
Graphic Novelist to Write, Direct 'Road to Perdition' Sequels
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 5:28PM
Remember how great
Road to Perdition was? Remember asking
yourself, "Why in the world didn't more people see that?"
Tom Hanks was
terrific. Paul Newman probably deserved the Oscar for Supporting Actor, we got a
look at Daniel Craig in one of his more villainous portrayals, and
Jude Law
continued his trend of walking into a movie and stealing it. He did that a few
times way back when.
And though it took six years, there will be more roads to travel. JPM Productions and EMO Films have partnered with Max Allan Collins, co-creator of the original graphic novel, to write and direct two sequels.
Cinematical received a press release earlier today outlining the deal:
"Road to Purgatory will follow the character of Michael Sullivan, Jr., the son of Tom Hanks' character in the original film, who returns from World War II with a new determination to avenge his murdered father. His quest ultimately leads him to Frank Nitti, whom he is urged to kill on the orders of Al Capone. The second sequel will follow Sullivan's continued plight."
That film, it is believed, will be dedicated to Paul Newman. The third film will be titled Road to Paradise, although there aren't specific details about it just yet.
I'm glad they're bringing in Collins, but you do have to wonder about a first-time director taking over a series with this much potential. Sure, he wrote the graphic novel, but that's not a guarantee that he can make it into a good movie.
Reader Comments (1)
The actors were great in Road to Perdition. We even got something new out of Tom Hanks, who had been on repeat for a decade or so.
But credit where credit is due. It was Sam Mendes' direction and Conrad Hall's cinematography that made the movie and the actors just rose to the occation.
No way is it going to work with a first time director, trying to learn the craft while doing it.
Making good movied is a bloody hard thing to do. That's why there are so few of them.