There was a moment, near the start of the '00s, when Owen Wilson was more often seen running away from an explosion than heading up dog-oriented family flicks and romantic comedies, using that familiar drawl to mask a film's flaws. The end results were never that mind-blowing (see: “Shanghai Knights,” “Behind Enemy Lines”), but there was a unique, unassuming presence to his action roles that remained interesting, and now it seems Wilson is curious to dive back into genre waters once again.
According to Deadline, Wilson is set to star in “The Coup,” a thriller set in Southeast Asia, which centers on an overseas American family threatened by rebels when they attack their city. Wilson will play the father in the film, forced to protect his family at all costs, and undoubtedly well-versed in some form of government-issued special training to aid him. John Erick Dowdle, last seen directing horrors-within-cramped-spaces in “Quarantine” and “Devil,” will expand his playground by helming this film, from a script he co-wrote with his brother Drew Dowdle.
Crime Scene Pictures' Adam Ripp and Rob Paris are financing and producing the picture with Dowdle, pulling double-duty by handling David Gordon Green's “Suspiria” remake as well currently. The project seems an exciting challenge for Wilson, as he's rarely been the stand-alone lead looking for vengeance in a film before. Those behind the project are obviously looking for a “Taken”-type action revival for the star, which seems unlikely, but we're willing to be surprised.
“The Coup” is set to go before cameras in October.
