There's been some developments relating to super duo Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling's follow-up to Drive, the Bangkok set crime flick, Only God Forgives. Last year, at the height of Refn's buzz, the film was due to be picked up by FilmDistrict for distribution. But due to some disagreements between them and Refn, the deal fell through, with The Weinstein Company and their Radius shingle picking up the rights. That's all geeky behind the scenes stuff, which we usually avoid here, but it's relevant in that the film will be seen here at all. That to me is very good news.
The Wild Bunch website has unearthed a first look image from the film, and while it doesn't show much, it's only the beginning of what sounds like another powerful, ultra violent effort from Gosling and Refn. Gosling plays the son of a Florida-based crime boss(Kristin Scott Thomas), banished to Thailand after a years old murder, now running the drug trade out of a boxing gym alongside his brother. When the brother kills a prostitute, he is then killed by a cop known as the Angel of Vengeance. Gosling then challenges the cop to a boxing match, as a means of getting some revenge for his family.
There'll be lots of swordplay and muay thai boxing action, and with Refn behind the camera lots of blood, too. Filming only got underway recently, so it may be awhile before we see Only God Forgives in theaters. [Deadline]
