Liam Neeson Set To Star In Congo War Drama ‘Charlie Johnson In The Flames’
Actor Liam Neeson is returning to the world of serious drama movies. The Irishman is done with train and plane-set action movies for the time being as he joins Charlie Johnson in the Flames.
Neeson Becomes Charlie Johnson
The upcoming movie, to be directed by Swedish filmmaker Tarik Saleh, is adapted from the 2003 novel of the same name. It was the second book from Canadian academic and ex-politician Michael Ignatieff.
The crime thriller revolves around Neeson's titular character, an American-born war correspondent who works for the BBC. After witnessing the death of a young woman while covering the conflict in the Congo, he's haunted by the memory and returns to the area to find her killer and bring him to justice.
Johnson then becomes embroiled in an escalating situation in the war-torn Congo which was filled with violence and intrigue. He risks his life to expose the culprit, exposing a network of murder and corruption while questioning his own humanity in the process.
Back Where He Belongs
The role is a return to form for celebrated thespian Neeson, a well-respected dramatic actor who became more known for his roles in the pulpy likes of Taken and The Commuter rather than his esteemed performances in Schindler's List, Kinsey, and Michael Collins. He turned to the action genre following the untimely loss of his wife, actress Natasha Richardson, in 2009.
His movies have grossed a combined $7 billion worldwide. His latest was the mixed-bag Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House. Up next, he'll be seen in action flick Hard Powder opposite Shameless star Emmy Rossum and Big Little Lies' Laura Dern.
An Impressive Back Catalogue
Saleh helmed 2014's Tommy, which is currently getting the Hollywood remake treatment, as well as 2009 animated feature Metropia.
He's also responsible for the recent well-received real-world mystery vehicle The Nile Hilton Incident, which won the Grand Jury Prize at last year's Sundance Film Festival and was also nominated for Best Foreign Film at the French Césars. He recently directed an episode of hit sci-fi show Westworld, too.
BAFTA-nominated writer Justin Haythe, who scripted Red Sparrow, The Lone Ranger, and Revolutionary Road, adapted Charlie Johnson in the Flames for the big screen. Sierra/Affinity is taking on international sales for the flick, which will be introduced at Cannes next week, while movie's domestic release will be handled by CAA.
