Smokin Aces prequel ramps up and gets director

I thought Smokin’ Aces was a complex and somewhat engaging contract killer crime movie. It came and went, but didn’t move many cinephiles enough to turn it into a cult gangland film…or even a DVD keeper really. While the box office was also somewhat disappointing, obviously someone at Universal believes enough in the film to officially make it a franchise. The prequel Smokin Aces: Blowback, is fast moving into production, and according to reports, it may focus on at least some of the many “mechanics” who were after Jeremy Piven’s character Buddy Israel, in the the first movie.

My guess is that with production ramping up this fast, Smokin’ Aces: Blowback may wind up going directly to DVD and On Demand. But who knows. It could get a small release window, just to draw attention to itself.

Rumored to be attached to the project, and making a return appearance from Smokin’ Aces, include Chris Pine, Kevin Durand and Maury Sterling as the crazed Tremor Brothers, and Brian Bloom, who played FBI Agent Baker.

I was real hopeful for Smokin’ Aces, and I’m hopeful for the prequel. I loved Narc, and thought it was a stunning depiction of corruption and greed. Joe Carnahan, who wrote and directed Smokin’ Aces, has written the screenplay for Blowback, and will produce the film. According to his own blog, PJ Pesce will helm the new film. He directed another sequel…to the Lost Boys.