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Patrick Alessandrin is Taking Over 'Protection' with Clive Owen

by Ethan Anderton
January 20, 2010
Source: Twitter

It was last May that ScreenDaily gave us word that Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Con-Air) would be directing Protection starring Paul Walker as a disgraced former Special Forces soldier who takes on Mexican gangs in an attempt to rescue a judge’s daughter. Now that we've reminded you, go ahead and toss all that information out the window as Production Weekly has posted an update via Twitter saying that this action flick, scripted by newcomer Brandon Noonan, will now be helmed by director Patrick Alessandrin (District 13: Ultimatum) with Clive Owen set to take on ruthless Mexican gangsters in place of Walker.

While I will contend that Clive Owen is certainly an upgrade from Paul Walker, I can't say his involvement gets me anymore excited for such a generic concept. Honestly, Clive Owen has never really impressed me. I find him bland, emotionless and saying Children of Men is his best performance isn't saying much (despite the fact I love that flick to no end). However, all he's done in action movies is just protect things, so this sounds right up his alley. Alessandrin's involvement also makes things intriguing since he's the director they used to follow up Pierre Morel's District 13 and Morel went on to direct last year's surprise action hit Taken. Maybe Alessandrin can keep following in his footsteps and come up with a decent action flick. Thoughts?

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

Cody

I actually think hes a great actor but this whole, 1 vs 100 taking things into his own hands idea is way overdone.
Xerxex

ever since Runnng Scared I've actually began liking Walker, but ever since the International Owen has quickly become one of my favorite actors, so if the script is good I'm in.
The Man With No Name

The International, Shoot 'Em Up, and now Protection. This is almost more gun slingin' than Clint Eastwood. I'd say diversification is the key, Mr. Owen.
beavis

i liked owen in "elizabeth: the golden age" as well as "children of men"; but, this is a VERY generic, and overdone concept. if the action is good, i might see it.
Cineprog

Owen was alright in The International, but the film was a crap ending, just didn't like the ending. it's the script that lets owens performaces down, same as King Arthur that had abland story it was so lame.Lets hope that Protection is abetter script and lets owens performance standout.
Nick

I bet Walker left, or was pulled to do "Captain America"... They have needed to cast the Cap' movie quickly as it goes into production early this year. Thoughts?
http://www.firstshowing.net Ethan Anderton

@ Nick, I would hate to see Paul Walker as Captain America. I don't think he has the screen presence or talent to pull it off. I wouldn't mind see someone like Jon Hamm step up for the part, but he just might be out of the age range. Who knows. If they're starting in June, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Dave

Robert Downey was in the Shaggy DA, and still became Iron Man. Icould believe they gave him the job, but he pulled it off. Paul Walker... he looks like a young post super soldier serum Steve Rodgers (over 6 ft)... All-American... looks like he could stand next to Chris Hemsworth and not look like a punk... like he could give/take a punch... and his on-screen babes include Jessica Alba, and Moon Bloodgood (bonus points).