Informed Art - Comic-Con Revealed

New Line focused its panel mainly on the action film, Shoot ‘Em Up. However, it also included the debut of the trailer for Jack Black-starring, Michel Gondry-directed comedy, Be Kind Rewind, and director Chris Weitz presented a five minute trailer for The Golden Compass. However, the panel started with Shoot ‘Em Up director Michael Davis and star Clive Owen taking questions from the fans, who were very thankful for the free screening and the added second screening when the first screening filled up. Davis was thanked several times for spending time with the fans in line.

He told the story of how the film got made starting with his love for James Bond films as a kid. He went to film school and afterward worked as a storyboard artist who wrote 35 screenplays before selling this film. After getting into $75,000 worth of debt, making independent romantic comedies, he decided to take a teaching job in North Carolina and give up on the industry. This is when Angry Films took his script to New Line and a deal was signed. After he made a 17 minute animatic of the film, the studio was then convinced he could direct as well.

Davis said the casting of Clive Owen was a dream and credited the actor as a co-collaborator and a constant source of support, especially in keeping the studio off his back. The stylish flick has a sly humor taking its action sequences to absurd levels, making the production both iconic cool and funny at the same time. Just to give you a taste, Owen’s character Mr. Smith has to deliver a baby during a shootout and uses his pistol to severe the umbilical cord. From the reaction of the crowd, they were having a bloody good time.

That’s From Rick’s view.