Fresh off of their critical success with ‘Drive’, Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling seem poised to continue their working relationship with a number of upcoming projects. The first of which is ‘Only God Forgives’, and Harvey Weinstein is looking to acquire it. Here’s the story from The Playlist:
Riding high off the fumes of “Drive” which had just one Best Director at Cannes, last summer FilmDistrict was set to re-up with Nicolas Winding Refn for his next film, “Only God Forgives” reteaming him with his totally brotastic bud, Ryan Gosling. Well, it seems the winds have changed somewhat dramatically.
Deadline reports that the deal with FilmDistrict never closed and instead, The Weinstein Company’s VOD/multi-platform shingle Radius — who recently snapped up the Refn produced “Pusher” remake — have beat out a number of suitors (including CBS Films) to land the movie, in what is said to be a $2.5 million pricetag. Frankly, that’s the kind of payout we’d expect from The Weinstein Company proper, not a VOD sideline gig, but we presume this deal will mark that shingle as major players.

Said to be more violent than “Drive,” and featuring swordplay to boot, the story centers on Julian (Gosling), who has lived in exile in Bangkok after killing a cop ten year ago. With his brother, he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation run by his Florida based Mom, Jenna (Kristin Scott Thomas). However, his brother gets into hot water when he murders a prositute, and the cops called on retired cop Chang – aka The Angel Vengeance — to weigh in on the matter. He determines that the father of the murdered girl is allowed to kill Julian’s brother, and in order to set the balance right, Chang then chops off his right hand. Hearing of her son’s death, Jenna arrives in the city seeking revenge and forces Julian to hunt down Chang. He challenges him to a boxing match…and loses, setting Jenna on a path of revenge. Damn.
No word yet on release dates or anything like that, but considering filming only got underway early this year, we’d wager a fall festival bow at the earliest, though 2013 is probably more likely (and perhaps a return to Cannes, where “Drive” was a smash). Either way, it’s a helluva start for the new shingle that also nabbed “Bachelorette” out of Sundance and as long as the movie has a home, we’re happy.
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Tags: film acquisitions, Nicolas Winding Refn, Oscar hopeful, Ryan Gosling, upcoming projects
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Count me in!
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Hey Joey, when will you treat us with your beginning of the year Oscar Precitions? Not downgrading Mr. Clayton, but I share a more similar taste with your views.
Phill Milner(Quote) (Reply)
I believe we’re all contributing our own picks in the coming days, but I have a longer piece I wrote up that could show up soon as well…if not, I’ll put them out on Facebook or Twitter for everyone.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Keeping my fingers crossed that the Academy will recognize this one after they made a huge mistake with Drive. And having Weinstein back this will certainly won’t hurt.
Gregory Roberts(Quote) (Reply)
If it’s good enough, I do too…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Wow, does this ever sound like one heck of a movie. The person i am most looking forward to seeing is Kristen Scott Thomas after her incredible turn in I’ve loved you so long went unnoticed. Something tells me that the academy will recognize this film with Harvey backing it, poor drive.
Massimo(Quote) (Reply)
We shall see…
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
This sounds like it’s right up Nicholas Winding Refn’s alley, so you can count me in. Based on the description of the plot, it sounds like Refn can direct the hell out of this movie, and Ryan Gosling is one of the most bankable stars in hollywood today. Definitely on my radar.
Aaron(Quote) (Reply)
Agreed.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Fucking awesome! My most anticipated movie of the year!
Rohit Ramachandran(Quote) (Reply)
It’s high up on my list as well.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)