This is probably old news for people who read the graphic novel, but for those who haven’t, we have the official synopsis of the upcoming Jon Favreau film “Cowboys & Aliens.” The film will follow a Zeke Jackson, played by Daniel Craig, who wanders into a town in Arizona called Absolution. The uptight citizens do not welcome this stranger kindly, with the stranger getting the worst from Harrison Ford’s character Colonel Dolarhyde. That is, until aliens arrive. The townsfolk and even Native Americans must work together with the stranger, who holds the secret to defeating these aliens, only he doesn’t know it yet. Because he has amnesia. Also look forward to catching Sam Rockwell as bar owner Doc and Olivia Wilde as elusive traveler Ella. Full synopsis, via JoBlo, as follows:
1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger (Craig) with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Ford). It’s a town that lives in fear.
But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.
Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he’s been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella (Olivia Wilde), he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents—townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors—all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.
With the high concept and pretty solid cast, hopes are high for this to be in the same entertaining, light-hearted vein of the first “Iron Man.” The consensus for “Iron Man 2” was basically a shrug, and although the main problem with the film was its unnecessary focus on building up “The Avengers” rather than standing on its own, the film had worthwhile action scenes and special effects. So as long as Favreau’s ability to shoot a fight scene (well, in this case, war scene) carries over, we should be guaranteed a fun romp. Hopefully the film won’t take itself too seriously and keep the vibe fun and easy. This writer isn’t the biggest fan of either “Iron Man” film, but Favreau did manage to hit a near perfect tone for the series and we hope it carries over here.
Those itching to see Josey Wales vs. ALF will have to wait more than a year, as the release date for this one is June 24, 2011.
