The Jackal
Short description
A professional assassin known only as the Jackal is hired by a figure in the Russian mafia to carry out a killing in retaliation for the death of his brother, who was killed during a joint American and Russian operation. The Jackal is a master of disguise who changes identity constantly, and investigators soon learn that his target is a very prominent political figure in the United States. With the killer proving nearly impossible to track, the FBI's deputy director Carter Preston and Russian intelligence officer Major Valentina Koslova try to prevent the attack.
Their only real lead is Declan Mulqueen, an Irish former terrorist serving a prison sentence who knows the Jackal by sight. Released into their custody, he joins the search for a man who is always one step ahead. The film was directed by Michael Caton-Jones, its sixth feature after a run that included Scandal, Memphis Belle, Doc Hollywood, This Boy's Life and Rob Roy. Chuck Pfarrer wrote the screenplay, and Kevin Jarre, Sean Daniel and James Jacks produced. Bruce Willis plays the Jackal, with Richard Gere as Mulqueen, Sidney Poitier as Preston, Diane Venora as Koslova, J.K. Simmons and Mathilda May among the cast.
Made for about 60 million dollars, The Jackal was released in November 1997 and took roughly 159 million dollars worldwide, a return well above its cost. On IMDb it holds 6.4 out of 10 from around 132,000 votes, and on TMDB it also sits at 6.4, from about 2,200 votes. A critics' rating of 4.7 out of 10 from 33 reviews places it below both audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- Filming began on August 19, 1996, and wrapped on November 30 of the same year.
- Bruce Willis requested a reshoot of the scene where The Jackal kills the gay man, to make it clear that he killed him because he knew too much, and not because of his sexual orientation.
- Sean Connery, Liam Neeson, and Matthew McConaughey all turned down the opportunity to participate in the project.
- In an alternate ending to the film, Isabella herself finishes off the Jackal with a shot to the head, uttering only one word: "Finalmente."
- Before Bruce Willis joined the project, the role of the Jackal was offered to Richard Gere; however, the actor preferred the role of the protagonist, which he eventually received.
- Upon completing work on the film, Bruce Willis and Richard Gere swore to each other that they would never act together again.
Similar movies
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
