With Jon Favreau’s high concept summer mash-up COWBOYS & ALIENS set to release in the dead of blockbuster season, it only seems appropriate the profile for the film starts to raise. Last week we saw a new photo from the film, and now, from three different sources, we have a few more production stills, a magazine cover, and a few words from star Harrison Ford. Let’s get her rollin’…
First up, courtesy of MTV, is a new “preview” image of Daniel Craig flashing that high-tech wrist gadget of his, the lovely Olivia Wilde appearing as the damsel in distress behind him. We also have a pair of behind-the-scene shots that feature Craig, Ford and Favreau.
Next up is cover-image of the new issue of Empire magazine. As you can see, Craig’s scowling Jake Lonergan character is stepping out of the shadows with a six-shooter in one hand, that magical blue beam on the other.
Lastly, in a convo with the L.A. Times, the legendary Harrison Ford speaks a bit about his experience making the film. While he avoids plot spoilers, he does espouse some laudatory remarks for his director:
“It’s been really gratifying, I have to say,” Ford said. “A lot of that is because of Jon, who has surprised me with his spirit and his insight, and I only say that I was surprised because I knew him better as an actor than as a filmmaker. He’s a very clever actor but as a director he’s shown that he can solve the problems that come up every day and not become mechanical.”
About the heart and soul of COWBOYS & ALIENS, Ford interestingly makes his point by contrasting the film with others in the genre:
“I think what a lot of action movies lose these days, especially the ones that deal with fantasy, is you stop caring at some point because you’ve lost human scale,” Ford said. “With the CGI, suddenly there’s a thousand enemies instead of six – the army goes off into the horizon. You don’t need that. The audience loses its relationship with the threat on the screen. That’s something that’s consistently happening and it makes these movies like video games and that’s a soulless enterprise. It’s all kinetics without emotion. I don’t have time for that.”
So very well said, Harry. I could not agree with you anymore. Hopefully COWBOYS & ALIENS reestablishes the bar and sets a trend of big-budget spectacles with heart. Seriously.
See the film July 29th.
Wilde Wilde West!