Captain Phillips. Don’t let the bland title fool you, this true-life tale of a modern day high seas hijacking will be a never-shredder – brought to you by the dream duo of Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump) and director Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum). If you don’t believe me, check out this awesome first trailer.
Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009 – the first American ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.
It’s Greengrass’ first film since the 2010 Iraq war drama Green Zone, but not his first true-life hijack flick – having directed the harrowing United 93 in 2006. It looks like Captain Phillips puts all of Paul’s talent for action and drama to good use.
The screenplay is based on the book chronicling the events by Phillips himself (with Stephan Talty). The always-great Catherine Keener (Into the Wild, Cyrus) plays Andrea, Richard’s wife.
Captain Phillips is scheduled for New Zealand release on 10 October.
Tell me you don’t want to see this?
Lovin’ the look and feel. The sense of isolation has been brilliantly captured, and provides the perfect contrast to the frenetic intensity of the capture and rescue scenes – heightening the tension.
Speaking of tension, how evil does that head pirate look? I wouldn’t like to bump into him in a dark galley.
Best of all, I haven’t read the book, so I don’t know how it all plays out – aside from Phillips surviving to write the book. How many of his shipmates lived through the ordeal? Shhh…don’t tell me.
Greengrass and Hanks are on form here. Expect the Academy to sit up and take notice.
Could Tom win his third Oscar for this?
.
Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film stars Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, Christoper Stadulis, Max Martini, John Magaro, Chris Mulkey, Yul Vazquez, Michael Chernus, David Warshofsky, Corey Johnson, Maria Dizzia, Angus MacInnes, Roger Edwards, Rey Hernandez, San Shella, and Terence Anderson.
Captain Phillips open 10 October, 2013.
