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Bruce Willis Headed to the CIA for Adaptation of 'American Assassin'

by Ethan Anderton
September 6, 2012
Source: Variety

Just this past February we learned that Traitor director Jeffrey Nachmanoff was going to direct an adaptation of Vince Flynn's novel American Assassin for CBS Films. Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing the film that's the first time the recurring character Mitch Rapp comes the big screen. Now Variety reports Bruce Willis in talks to take a supporting role in the film. The story follows Rapp, a former Syracuse grad student who joins the CIA after his girlfriend his killed by a terrorist attack. Willis is taking the role of a CIA operative who serves as Rapp's mentor. It's his commitment that will allow the studio to move forward and find a young lead actor now. You can count on Liam Hemsworth being on that shortlist.

CBS Films acquired all of Vince Flynn's novels featuring Mitch Rapp, so this could very well turn into their own Jack Ryan-esque franchise. Originally CBS Films wanted to start the big screen adaptation of Flynn's novels with Consent to Kill, which was to be directing by Antoine Fuqua, but it looks like this prequel novel (actually the 11th book in the series) will be how the potential series kicks off. Originally names like Gerard Butler, Colin Farrell and Matthew Fox were being tossed around to play Rapp, but since this film will feature the character fresh out of college at the start of his career, a younger actor will be sought. It sounds like this might be the time for the project to get off the ground.

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Cody W

I like Bruce Willis, but Im a die hard Mitch Rapp series fan and he just doesnt fit the role of Stansfield at all, and none of those names sound good for Rapp. They need to find a no name actor to play him. Rapp also is more of an anti jack ryan if you ask me, hes cold calculating and kills basically every terrorist he sees with one silenced 9mm bullet to the forehead. My hopes are low though, especially with CBS at the helm.
- fiery23
  
  He won't be playing Stansfield, he'll be playing Stan Hurley. Reckon Willis would be a great Actor for that role.
DAVIDPD

Man, Liam Hemsworth just not have the right look to be an action star. He was not imposing at all in THE EXPENDABLES 2.
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  Oh, believe me, I'm not saying Hemsworth SHOULD be Mitch Rapp. But you can guarantee he'll be on the shortlist for the role.
kruel

geeze! whats with the over 50 geezer action flicks? enough already time for some new blood!
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  He's not the lead. He's the mentor. There's a young lead.
JerseyBoy

How many times is Bruce Willis going to sign up for the CIA, by now I thought he would just have to renew his membership.
http://twitter.com/pdxracefan pdxracefan

Not, not, not BW. Too way over the hill. My vote goes to Eddie Cahill, of CSI NY. He looks the part, and is a good actor. In this story, looks go long way.
http://www.facebook.com/matt.peloquin.14 Matt Peloquin

I would love to see this role go to Aaron Paul and I think they'd play off of each other wonderfully.