Hugh Jackman takes Prisoners, the revenge thriller from Denis Villeneuve

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

We’re always in the mood for a good revenge thriller ’round these parts, and as PRISONERS has been on the radar for years now, it’s refreshing to learn that we’re finally seeing some major progress on this hard-boiled caper.

Via a press release we learn that Hugh Jackman has climbed aboard the project, which will start shooting next year. Denis Villeneuve, who last helmed the Academy Award-nominated INCENDIES (Best Foreign Film), is directing, from a script by Aaron Guzikowski (CONTRABAND). Said script has been floating around for a long time; Mark Wahlberg was attached to star in it all the way back in 2009.

PRISONERS’ story revolves around a small-town carpenter named Keller (Jackman) whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller takes the law into his own hands, but in the process runs up against the big city detective assigned to the case.

Production is scheduled to begin in early 2013 once Jackman completes the next WOLVERINE for Fox. Alcon is targeting a November 2013 release through their output deal with Warner Bros.


Kate Beckinsale starred in the Guzikowski-scripted CONTRABAND

Source: Alcon Entertainment

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Eric Walkuski is a longtime writer, critic, and reporter for JoBlo.com. He's been a contributor for over 15 years, having written dozens of reviews and hundreds of news articles for the site. In addition, he's conducted almost 100 interviews as JoBlo's New York correspondent.