Dear hitmen in movies everywhere: there’s no way to say this kindly. DON’T EVER RETIRE! We’re serious. Of all the films featuring hitmen, the ones who jack in the job always, without fail, find trouble. The latest case in point is Vinnie Jones’ character in a new Australian thriller called The Killer’s List.
Jones, usually found menacing other people, will indeed play a retired hitman (his first mistake), who is widowed with a young son (tragic, but also a mistake in these movies). What happens? Well, our – let’s not necessarily call him a hero because of all the killing – 'protagonist' receives a box in the mail when his kid goes missing.
The contents, in a nasty, pseudo Se7en-style twist, are some of his son’s fingers, a mobile phone and instructions to kill five of his former fellow criminals. So what will he do? We’re guessing he’ll try to get his child back. And scowl. A lot.
Phil Avalon is directing this one, working from a script by Brian Vining, and shooting on Australia’s Gold Coast in July. Jones appears to have a thing for Aussie movies at the moment – he’s also attached to World War II drama The 34th Battalion, which is set to film later this year.
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Empire**, meanwhile, is setting up Dunkillin, a home for former hit men, with bulletproof glass and non-exploding plastic furniture just in case any future movie assassins decide to hang up the sniper rifle and knuckle dusters and enjoy an exclusive, peaceful later life.