Thanks to a tweet from my friend Ted, I learned that my long-time crush Gerry Butler is in negotiation to star in a submarine thriller Hunter Killer. Per LatinoReview, the movie is based on the novel, Firing Point from authors George Wallace and Don Keith, here’s the plot:
An untested submarine captain must work with a Navy SEAL team to rescue Russia’s president, who’s taken prisoner during a military coup. The two sides team to stop a rogue Russian general from igniting World War III.
Butler is in talks to play the submarine captain Joe Glass of the USS Toledo, whilst Avatar and The Debt star Sam Worthington is being pursued to take on the role of the leader of the Navy SEAL unit, Bill Beaman. Director of Training Day and Brooklyn’s Finest, Antoine Fuqua is set to direct.
Now, truth be told I’m not a huge fan of submarine thrillers. Interestingly enough, the only submarine movie I like was The Hunt for Red October which also stars another famous Scot, Sean Connery. I personally would rather see Butler in a non-military-related drama — how ’bout that Robert Burns biopic eh Gerry? — where there are more emotional eruptions than those involving weapons of any kind. But I suppose I shouldn’t complain as Butler continues to mix things up. He balances the bad-ass roles in Machine Gun Preacher and Coriolanus with a soccer comedy Playing the Field and a surfing drama Of Men and Mavericks for L.A. Confidential‘s director Curtis Hanson.
So yeah, I do like this casting combo and both are suitable for tough guy military roles. I’ve liked Worthington ever since Terminator Salvation, and though I’ve complained that he’s not expressive enough, he was rather good in The Debt and no doubt neither one of these two actors is lacking any on screen charisma. But as my friend Dezzy @ HollywoodSpy said, this better be eons better than whatever the hell Battleship is supposed to be, starring Liam Neeson and… Rihanna?? [shakes head]
Anyhoo, the news made me think of other Brit/Aussie actor combos I like in the past. I haven’t seen Warrior yet starring London-born Tom Hardy and Aussie Joel Edgerton, but I reckon that’d perhaps make my list. I think a great combo happens when both actors are able to hold their own but creates a wonderful dynamic together on-screen. Here are five that come to mind:
- Christian Bale & Russell Crowe – 3:10 to Yuma
I’m not even a fan of Westerns but with these two, I ended up loving this film. Crowe practically steals every scene as charming villain Ben Wade.
- Christian Bale & Hugh Jackman – The Prestige
I didn’t love this film the first time around, but upon second viewing I appreciated it a whole lot more. Both actors exemplify what showmanship is supposed to look like, and the twist and turns are classic Nolan.
… - Christian Bale & Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Yet another film where Bale is sort of upstaged by the villain, but Ledger’s The Joker pretty much outshone everyone else in this Nolan’s Batman saga. But whenever this duo face off each other on-screen, the intensity of this already thrilling film moves up a few notches!
… - Geoffrey Rush & Colin Firth – The King Speech
This Oscar winner should also be crowned best on-screen duo of the year as their ‘royal bromance’ is just delightful to watch! If it weren’t for Bale’s tour de force performance in The Fighter (and the fact that his win was overdue), Rush deserves to take home the statue along with Firth!
… - Russell Crowe & Paul Bettany – Master & Commander
Yes, yes, another familiar name, but really, Crowe is easily the best Aussie imports in the biz. This isn’t exactly a ‘duo’ per se, but I feel that the compelling friendship between the captain and the doctor is what gives the movie its ‘heart.’
I realize that this list might as well be called Christian Bale and his Aussie co-stars, ahah. I think Bale is always memorable even in ‘second banana‘ roles. I’m sure there are other Brit/Aussie combos in classic movies but I’m not as familiar with that genre so folks, you’d have to help me out on that one.
Well, any thoughts on this Hunter Killer project? Please also share other Brit/Aussie duo you think deserve a mention.
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Always look forward to more Gerry… and I’m sure I’ll check it out, but the name of the film is “Hunter Killer?” Really? Not so sure about that, but I guess there’s been worse titles out there…
Hi, PrairieGirl and company:
Hunter Killer comes from the nickname for the 688: Los Angeles Class Attack Boats. Basically designed to be stealthy, quiet and able to destroy enemy submarines and shipping up close or from a distance. The 688 Class does this with either torpedoes, torpedo launched Tomahawk missiles or vertically launched Cruise missiles.
Far different and much smaller than the old Ballistic Missile Submarines of the Cold War, Nicknamed ‘Boomers’ for their mission of being invisible, mobile Nuclear Missile Silos.
The newer 688 Class excels at intelligence gathering, occasional covert operations and keeping track of other countries’ ships and submarines.
Hi Jack, thanks for the background. As my screen name implies, I’m just a “girl,” so have no clue about names or classes of submarines, or any other boat, for that matter ;-D
Wow, I had no idea it’s a name for a submarine, so that makes sense now, thanks Jack. I thought the name was a bit lame at first, ahah.
Excellent list! (Duh.)
I knew you’d like it with Crowe getting a couple of mentions 😉
Yep! I also approve of the inclusion of The King’s Speech. 🙂
Funny that all the films you listed except The King Speech, I never thought those guys are Brits or Aussies since they all played American characters. Pretty cool list though.
You’re right Ted, most of them are pretty good with accents. Interestingly, both Butler and Worthington have been criticized for it so they better work harder w/ their dialect coach if they get this part, he..he.. I personally don’t mind it as their charisma more than well make up for it 😉
Hunter Killer looks like it could be a decent action flick, but i don’t see it being much more
And Blanchett and Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal also deserve a mention.
I’m keeping this list just for the actors, Julian, if I open it up to male/female or female/female duo, it’d be a top 20 list 🙂 But yeah, Blanchett and Dench will definitely make the list.
Sounds like a pretty generic action thriller. Submarine movies are the bomb when they are heavily integrated into realistic war scenarios such as World War II (Das Boot) or credible Cold War scenarios (The Hunt for Red October, Crimson Tide). This sounds really meh to me at this point. Nice list though Ruth 😀
You’re right Cas, without this cast I’d probably be thinking the same thing. As I said I’d rather see GB is something w/ more emotional involvement. But I think a meh plot could still be great depending on the cast & script, just like a generic-sounding rom-com would be very watchable to you if it had Amy Adams & Rachel McAdams, right? 😉
Nope… ahem…
Ahah, yeah bad example on my part. I don’t think I’ll watch these two in a generic rom-com either, just like I might be skipping This Means War even w/ Tom Hardy. It looks like it’s worth maybe a dollar rental at best.
Ooh I like your list, Ruth 😀 I thought the Firth/Rush pairing was superb – they looked great together on screen.
I really liked The Prestige. Bale and Jackman are so different, both in personality and appearance. I thought their magicians were excellent.
Thank you Claire. Yes, I thought of The King’s Speech pairing right away as I just love that film! As for The Prestige, yes, both Bale + Jackman really brought the ‘magic’ in magicians.
I wrote about this more than a week ago.You even commented on it.
I think that Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe combination in LES MISERABLES will also be interesting, although they are both Auzzies.
Luke Evans and Worthington combination in CLASH OF THE TITANS was also super charming.
Hi Dezzy, I know you did the casting post… did you notice the shout-out to you on the post? 🙂 Oh yeah, the Aussie+Aussie combo are always nice, or maybe expand to New Zealand. I’m sure you’d love to see Karl Urban + Eric Bana together, oh my I just might spontaneously combust! Good catch there w/ Luke & Sam in ‘Clash’ though that movie is abysmal!
British/Australian combo’s – love it! The Prestige is definitely my favourite film featured in the above list but they’re all great. I was really surprised how muhc I enjoyed 3:10 to Yuma. The King’s Speech had two fantastic performances.
…however, I’m not too fond of Paul Bettany, although he’s a good actor he does some odd films.
I’m not fond of Bettany either but I really like his character in M&C. Glad you like the list, Dan.
Hi, Ruth and company:
I am going to break ranks and tradition and offer one of the more well crafted and least acclaimed Brit/Aussie cinematic team-ups.
Edward Woodward and Bryan Brown in Bruce Beresford’s Breaker Morant from 1980.
A superb period piece focusing on Britain and Australia’s allied involvement in the Boer War, just prior to World War I.
Woodward seems made for the role as a somewhat arrogant Cavalry officer wrapped up in a new, completely Un~British form of warfare, Guerilla warfare. Where the enemy does not wear a uniform and is doing what it can through spolling raids and ambushes to kick the Brits out of Africa.
The Brits take the gloves off and the inevitable well liked, civilian doctor is killed by Morant, and Brown’s Peter Hancock. who were following the vague verbal orders of his superiors. A Court Martial ensues around murder charges.
Part Kubrick’s Paths Of Glory. Part The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. The intense courtroom scenes rock out loud with suspense as attacks are fended off by Woodward and Brown to no avail.
The fix is in with Whitehall. Offer up Morant, Handcock and an NCO or Africa will ally with Germany in what will soon become WWI.
I could throw in another Aussie, Jack Thompson. Who plays Major J. F. Thomas, Who’s assigned the task of defending Morant and Handcock.
While given full rein to steal every courtroom scene he’s in!
I knew you’d be able to offer up a less mainstream pairing, Jack! Your film knowledge always blows my mind!!
I’m afraid I don’t know who Edward Woodward is, but I do know Bryan Brown. Last I saw him was in ‘Australia’ which I saw during Christmas holiday with my in-laws as it happened to be playing on TV.
Thanks Jack!
Russell Crowe & Henry Cavill…does that count? 😉
Oh absolutely! Man, as if I need another reason to anticipate Man of Steel when Cavill was cast, they had to add Maximus into the bargain 😀
they don’t look a thing alike but oh well 😀 bizarrely i thought of Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom in Ned Kelly…i’m wracking my brain for another combo, but not getting anywhere.
Um, I don’t consider Bloom as a good actor so no, he wouldn’t be on my list. I was thinking of Eric Bana in Troy, and if Bloom were decent in that one I would’ve included that pairing here. Thanks Paula!
I can’t stand Worthington. Sorry.
I don’t know why.
But the others in your list kick butt!! Great job my friend
Ahah, I take it you don’t like Avatar then matey? Well at least you didn’t say you can’t stand Butler, if so then we need to have a chat, ha..ha..
Thanks for reading, Scott!
Hahaha I love that last line paragraph. Bale and anyone 😉
I am with Scott, I don’t like Worthington.
What’s with this Worthington-hatin’ he..he.. ah well, we can’t always agree on everyone right Nov? I don’t love him as much as I do Gerry, but I quite like him in Avatar and The Debt.
I think my dislike started after Clash of the titans…he acting is unbearable to watch. I thought Keanu was bad but he was worse, at least that’s what I saw in Clash.
I like that term Worthinton-hattin…the opposite of my Cillianiac hehehe.
Well I don’t blame you Nov, he’s utterly terrible in that, but then again so is the entire movie! I think Keanu is still better than Worthington, I guess I’m just fond of the guy despite his lack of expression, he..he..
When i first started reading this post! I read the first movie, 3:10 to Yuma, and said “YEP! That’s #1 for me! none other wins!” and then I read the next title, The Prestige and repeated my erroneous statement! haha. I say “erroneous” only because I was wrong in saying none other wins. I ended up repeating that same statement for each movie on your list and finally had to just say, “Ruth made an awesome list because each and every one of these are best!” hahaha
Great list! Perhaps Worthington will be worthy of more of my appreciation after he teams up with GB. We’ll see.
Glad you like the list, T. Not a fan of Worthington eh? Well I think he’s talented, just need to expand his range a bit. GB is really the biggest selling point for me about this one.
I rechristen this post as Lust, which is also an appropriate title for the SamWo/Gerry movie. I can only imagine girls and gay guys already lining up to see this.
Ahah, they’re both quite sexy men aren’t they? We’ll see if they end up starring in this together. I’m still waiting for the Butler/Eric Bana but then again I might spontaneously combust!
Which reminds me of this tweet I read earlier that if Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling were in a remake of Brokeback Mountain, there wouldn’t be any straight men left.