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Joe Carnahan's Smokin' Aces Prequel Greenlit!
by Alex Billington
November 4, 2008
We all know the rule - anytime a movie makes at least double its budget, it usually gets a sequel sometime within a few years of its release. Would anyone have thought Smokin' Aces was one of them, though?! Filmmaker Joe Carnahan announced quietly on his blog last week that the prequel to Smokin' Aces was greenlit and pre-production was underway. The first film had a relatively small budget of around $17 million but ended up with a domestic box office total of $35.8 million, just barely making double its budget. Carnahan also gave fans a quick tease on his blog, adding: "Cameos will abound. Trust me."
Oddly, this blog entry is a follow-up to a similar one Carnahan posted back in July last year, where he said that Universal had given him the greenlight to start scripting the prequel. A year later and it seems they've just now finally allowed him to start shooting. Initially Carnahan mentioned that this would be a direct-to-DVD prequel, but he doesn't confirm whether or not that is still the case. Additionally, he's mentioned that it would focus on the Tremor Brothers and Brian Bloom's character, Agent Baker. Despite I really hated Smokin' Aces, I'm interested in seeing where Carnahan will take us in this prequel.
Reader Feedback - 21 Comments
1
Really hated it? To what I can remember, you were really riled up for it, but then let down a little. but never HATED it! Anyways, I enjoyed it. Lets hope theres a little more action this time. Thats what we went to tsee it for.
Marcus on Nov 4, 2008
2
3
Smokin Aces was pretty good... The cast made it worth watching hands down. Common, Ray Liotta, Ben Affleck, Ryan Renolds, Jeremy Piven, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, etc.. I'd watch this prequel
r1000 on Nov 4, 2008
4
Inexlpicably... I, uh, have to admit...I, uh.... I love Smokin' Aces. I cannot tell you why. I don't think I want to know why. Thus, I tender my unreserved apology to Mankind.
Accusamend on Nov 4, 2008
5
top ten of 2007, no doubt i'm psyched for this if its in theaters or if its straight-to-DVD... it's my guilty pleasure. a great bad movie!
avant576 on Nov 4, 2008
6
#5 couldn't have said it better "a great bad movie!" I loved it!
ha1rball on Nov 4, 2008
7
I gotta say that I enjoyed this too, though I thought Shoot 'Em Up was much better in comparison for a "over the top action" film of the same time
peloquin on Nov 4, 2008
8
This is one of my rainy day films. I put my kids down for a nap, pop a creme soda and watch the mayhem. I cannot wait for this prequel, I hope the other assassins make up most the cameos.
Matt on Nov 4, 2008
9
I thought it was a great good movie. The cast was great and it was just fun to watch. And who doesn't like fun?
Da Man on Nov 4, 2008
10
Let down is right. I didnt downright hate it, but it wasn't the cult phenom that I thought it would/should turn into
L on Nov 4, 2008
11
i don't mind a prequel but it needs more action
Darrin on Nov 4, 2008
12
... I'm pretty excited about this announcement... I loved Smokin' Aces... definitely one of my guilty pleasures... if the prequel is as good as the original, I'll be happy... there better be a Cameo by Ryan Reynolds though! ...
Mondo Jay on Nov 4, 2008
13
It was not good at all. Shoot'em up was better.
Mike on Nov 4, 2008
14
i have to say that movie was a guilty pleasure for me, my brother who i sent that movie to while he was serving in Iraq especially loved the scene with Ben Affleck how quick he came and went in the movie. i would definitely watch a prequel to it.
The Delightful Deviant on Nov 4, 2008
15
Let down? Yes. Hate kind of let down? No. Butt...Alicia Keys...You get it XD I want her in prequel. Lots of her.
m4st4 on Nov 5, 2008
16
I loved Smokin Aces. a lot. I'm excited for the prequel.
Michael on Nov 5, 2008
17
I'm excited. I've been waiting to hear an update on this. Although I'd much rather have Carahan find a way to get Killing Pablo off the ground instead.
BahHumbug on Nov 5, 2008
18
Loved it. Bring on the Tremor Brothers.
Heckle on Nov 5, 2008
19
I was delightfully surprised by how much i enjoyed watching Smokin Aces. Mindless, but slick and unstoppably fun. Unsure what "Bunny Lake Is Missing," "Killing Pablo" and "White Jazz" is all about, but as long as Carnahan can do other movies and avoid mirroring SA's stylings and grow stale like Guy Ritchie, Im excited to see where Carnahan goes.
Voice Of Reason on Nov 5, 2008
20
I didn't need any time for my hatred to grow for Smokin' Aces. I hated it immediately. The best part of the movie is a side plot with Alicia Keys, Taraji Henson, and Common. Wait, best part? Try only good part. I can't recall ever seeing a slower paced "action" movie. And there weren't many good pace-slowing scenes. There were no "Bruce Willis amusing banter with the bad guys" pace-slowing scenes. It was all like "Ari Gold snorting coke and wandering around in a daze while various bad guys in various locations are gearing up for the big showdown" types of scenes. No sequel for me, thanks.
kevjohn on Nov 6, 2008
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