Rejoice! Following the crushingly disappointing news that action icon Jason Statham had stepped away from the buddy-comedyThe Man from Torontoa few days ago, it is now being reported that none other thanZombielandandWar for the Planet of the Apesstar Woody Harrelson will be taking his place.
During his decade-long career, actorWoody Harrelsonhas been nominated for an Academy award no less than three times, for Best Supporting Actor in both the jet-black crime comedyThree Billboards Outside Ebbingand the war dramaThe Messenger, as well as being nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in biographical dramaThe People vs. Larry Flynt. Woody Harrelson’s unparalleled talent for both comedy and drama, along with his natural charm and likeability, certainly makes his inclusion inThe Man from Torontosomething to be excited about, especially after the disappointment thatJason Statham dropped out.
The Man from Torontois being directed by Patrick Hughes with the movie having been written by Robbie Fox, from a story by Fox and Jason Blumenthal, while Escape Artists', who were behind bothThe Equalizerfranchise and theKevin Hartand Bryan Cranston comedy-dramaThe Upsideare also on board. Oscar nominee Todd Black, Blumenthal and Oscar winner Steve Tisch are producing with Bill Bannerman executive producing. Director Patrick Hughes has previously helmed the likes of action-comedyHitman’s Bodyguard, the thrillerRed Hilland will also be taking onThe Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, soThe Man from Torontois certainly within his wheelhouse.
The Man From Torontotells the story of a mishap at an Airbnb rental that results in Kevin Hart’s character being confused with a deadly assassin, who, you guessed it, hails from Toronto. Thanks to this silly mix up, the two men are forced to join forces in order to help save the day without killing one another. Woody Harrelson will taking over the assassin character, which was all set to be played byJason Statham. Though this is the kind of role that Statham can do in his sleep, with the results being pretty predictable, it will interesting to see what Harrelson does with the role. Though Jason Statham’s exact reasons for withdrawing from the project remain unclear, it has been reported that there were creative differences between Statham and Sony Pictures. Notably, that Sony was looking to make the movie PG-13, whilst Statham wantedThe Man from Torontoto be R-rated.
Woody Harrelson recently starred in Sony Pictures' long-awaited sequelZombieland Double Tapand will next be seen in the studio’s sequel toVenomstarring Tom Hardy and directed by hisWar for the Planet of the Apesco-star Andy Serkis. Harrelson will once again be underneath a red-haired wig as the psychopathic criminal Cletus Kassidy who goes on to become the symbiotic-fused supervillain Carnage.
Filming forThe Man from Torontois expected to begin in five weeks with the movie set to be released on June 22, 2025. This news comes to us courtesy ofDeadline.
