Matthew Fox may be the anchor of Lost – arguably the biggest show in television right now (sorry, Top Gear) – but his movie career thus far has been a little low-key.
Having said that, in the few films he’s done since becoming ‘that guy from Lost’, Fox hasn’t been front-and-centre. Neither Speed Racer, Vantage Point or We Are Marshall were billed or sold as Matthew Fox films, while he was good value in all three, so it’s too early to judge if he can go on and become the new George Clooney… or the new Tom Selleck.
But that’s about to change, with the news that Fox has signed on to stay in Billy Smoke, a thriller based – as most films these days seem to be – on a comic book. (However, with Hellboy II, Iron Man, Wanted and The Dark Knight all kicking ass and taking names, that’s not necessarily a bad thing)
This one is based on an Oni Comics title which hasn’t even been released yet, about a hitman (hang on, it gets better) who is almost killed during a botched job. Seeking redemption (as all movie hitmen are wont to do), he hits upon a novel idea: ridding the world of all other assassins.
So, expect action aplenty in the film, which is a Warner Bros. joint, with Eric Gitter and Basil Iwaynk in the producing chairs. And maybe, just maybe, Billy Smoke is the role that will allow Fox – a fine actor – to show that he can be taken seriously as a leading man on the big screen.