So, Stratham's doung the sequel, huh?

exactly, subtlety and range

i like statham. but he plays one character: him. well, he's the updated version of the 'wronged cowboy' from the old black and whites who scowls his way through a plot of getting even with 'them' while performing stunts or whatever (karate = six shooter) along the way. (cue randolph scott)

moreover, vocally he (nor anyone) can't touch daniel craig. like you said i can't even imagine him doing subtlety. the XXXX character is cunning and NOT expressly physical. which is kinda the OPPOSITE of statham. IMO


i understand he bought the rights. i get it. but that doesn't mean he knows what to do with them. personally i am disappointed with vaughn, and connolly, for allowing this one to fall dormant. (the same way sony let dragon tattoo fall dormant; a pocket veto) i feel like vaughn owes us, the substantial fan base for layer cake, to do justice to viva la madness. and incidently it's a great plot so my guess is vaughn has just grown too big for our britches, those of the fans out here. just the lowly fans.

i wish they would communicate with us about it. give us something! i mean heck, connolly coulda produced this one and tried to stay with the original feel. he was there on set, he could get the old cinematographer and sound guy back, etc. he should know the whole crew from before. if he could get the main players together, and produce, give the cinematographer a directing credit, give vaughn a producing credit to go over the script (like he did for the first film)... this is how i wish it coulda shaken out. but statham pounced on those rights.

i think, i suspect rather, that none of them realize what they have on their hands. even vaughn. i think they are unaware of the large cult following for layer cake, ones who were eager for viva la madness.


but yeah, my misgivings are:


1---jason's range, as you said. i like his work but not for THIS character. this character is finely tuned and requires... well, daniel craig. there is no one else.

2---the fact that he bought it to me means he LIKELY did that for himself to star. there's a chance he will produce only, but i doubt it

3---further on the misgivings front is his (inevitable) detour from the style vaughn struck with the first film. i feel it is a masterpiece, particularly the music and how that was used, and i suspect with statham at the helm and a whole new crew and different producing influences and tastes which are likely 180 degrees from the style/effects of the first film we love ...i suspect the second film may not even resemble whatsoever the first one.

4---also i'm concerned that this one may sell out to 'go commercial' for purposes of making back the budget (at least that is usually the justification).



-----
I mean, we're in a public place & I don't want you to lose your sh!t.

Lose my sh!t?