Simon West knows a thing or two about action. More importantly, he’s proficient at capturing engaging performances set against explosions galore. His latest is a grounded affair, one where the jokes are good but the bullets are real. Compared to the likes of Con Air and The Expendables 2, it’s a quieter film that does less to glamorize assassins, and more to humanize them.
In the film, Christoph Waltz plays Danny Dolinski, the titular “old guy” who is asked to train a young protege, any story about a hitman (of any age) will certainly have its fair share of sizzle, snark and a sniper rifle. Enjoy this chat with Simon about working with Waltz to develop his character’s look, taking chances on set, and the life of a director.
An aging hitman (Christoph Waltz) is forced to train a young prodigy (Cooper Hoffman) when his employer moves to replace the old guard. But when they learn they are being betrayed, the unlikely pair turns into a lethal team – with their double-crossing bosses in their sights. Lucy Liu also stars in this action-packed comedy from the director of CON AIR and THE EXPENDABLES 2.
