Fast Charlie
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPhillip Noyce
Screenplay byRichard Wenk
Based onGun Monkeys
by Victor Gischler
Produced by
  • Ryan Donnell Smith
  • Brent C. Johnson
  • Jeff Holland
  • Daniel Grodnik
  • Mitchell Welch
Starring
CinematographyWarwick Thornton
Edited by
  • Lee Haugen
  • Jered Zalman
Music byFil Eisler
Production
companies
  • Ashland Hill Media Finance
  • Thomasville Pictures
Distributed byVertical Entertainment[1]
Release dates
  • December 8, 2023 (2023-12-08) (United States)
Running time
90 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$16 million[3]

Fast Charlie is a 2023 American action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and written by Richard Wenk, based on the 2001 novel Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler. It stars Pierce Brosnan, James Caan (in his final film appearance), and Morena Baccarin.

It premiered at the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival on October 7, 2023. The film was released in select theatres and video on demand on December 8, 2023.[1]

Premise

For twenty years, Charlie Swift has been a fixer and hitman for a mob boss named Stan. After a rival boss puts a hit on Stan and his crew, Charlie is the sole survivor. Charlie decides to avenge his friend and teams up with Marcie, the ex-wife of a mobster he killed.

Cast

Production

In June 2009, Victor Gischler's 2001 novel Gun Monkeys was optioned for a film adaptation, with Lee Goldberg writing the script and Ryuhei Kitamura set to direct.[4] In 2018, producer Dan Grodnik discovered the project, acquired the underlying rights and brought in Phillip Noyce to direct (Noyce had directed Blind Fury starring Rutger Hauer for him in 1989).

Both Kevin Costner and Bryan Cranston expressed interest in starring but the film didn't come together until Pierce Brosnan signed on.[5] In March 2022, James Caan and Morena Baccarin joined the cast.[6]

Filming began in April 2022 in New Orleans.[citation needed]

Fast Charlie was the last film to star Caan, who died on July 6, 2022.[7] In the same month, Brosnan posted photos of Caan on the film's set.[8]

Release

The film premiered at the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival on October 7, 2023, while the film was released in select theatres and video on demand on December 8, 2023, by Vertical Entertainment.[9]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 28 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (October 6, 2023). "James Caan's Final Movie 'Fast Charlie' Sets U.S. Release With Vertical; Pierce Brosnan & Morena Baccarin Lead Ensemble". Deadline. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Fast Charlie (15)". BBFC. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Fast Charlie" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. April 20, 2022. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lee Goldberg Adapts Gun Monkeys". Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 28, 2021). "Pierce Brosnan To Star In Phillip Noyce's Hitman Thriller Fast Charlie — AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 31, 2022). "James Caan & Deadpool Star Morena Baccarin Join Pierce Brosnan In Philip Noyce's Fast Charlie, Filming Begins Next Week In New Orleans". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  7. ^ Tapp, Tom; Grobar, Matt (July 20, 2022). "Lawsuit Filed Over James Caan's Final Film, Fast Charlie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  8. ^ Juneau, Jen (July 8, 2022). "Pierce Brosnan Shares Photos of James Caan from Set of Late Actor's Final Film: 'You Were an Inspiration'". People. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "Fast Charlie Trailer: Pierce Brosnan Leads Action Thriller". Yahoo Entertainment. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "Fast Charlie". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

External links

Films directed by Phillip Noyce
Categories