The French film from which The Tourist is based from (Anthony Zimmer) contains a narrative DNA that is very kaiser soze, but to be frank about it, I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. Spyglass Entertainment is seeing a lot of action for a tale about a wanted man…its mostly due to scheduling conflicts. Male lead Sam Worthington has jumped ship and an even better replacement in Johnny Depp might take the part. Meanwhile, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck who just recently considered taking helming duties has dropped the pic, and Alfonso Cuaron, who showed off some skill with the thriller format in Children of Men (that infamous scene with Julianne Moore at the wheel is stellar) is looking to replace him.
Scripted by Julian Fellowes, Bill Wheeler and Chris McQuarrie, this concerns an American tourist (formerly Tom Cruise, then Sam Worthington and perhaps Depp) who finds his life in danger when a female Interpol agent (formerly Charlize Theron and now Angelina Jolie) uses him as a dupe to flush out an elusive criminal with whom she once had an affair. My “excitement” level was increased when Donnersmarck was onboard, yet it hasn’t decreased with the Cuaron nomination.
