Prequel to the Untouchables

[Maverick]

Gerald Butler will topline in the Brian De Palma "Untouchables" prequel called "Capone Rising" -- and indeed the actor put in a 60-second appearance to say how "unbelievable" the script was, reports Variety.

Butler will join Nicolas Cage who will portray a young Al Capone in the prequel.

Directed by Brian DePalma, the flick is a prequel to his 1987 classic “The Untouchables”, and revolves around the early dealings of the infamous gangster with Jimmy Malone - the Irish cop role that won Sean Connery an Oscar

[Euphemisto®]

Gerald Butler will topline in the Brian De Palma "Untouchables" prequel called "Capone Rising" -- and indeed the actor put in a 60-second appearance to say how "unbelievable" the script was, reports Variety.

Butler will join Nicolas Cage who will portray a young Al Capone in the prequel.

Directed by Brian DePalma, the flick is a prequel to his 1987 classic “The Untouchables”, and revolves around the early dealings of the infamous gangster with Jimmy Malone - the Irish cop role that won Sean Connery an Oscar

Kind of surprised DePalma's making a prequel to Untouchables, considering it really wasn't one of his best or most successful films. But then again, many of his greatest flicks were films that weren't always critically acclaimed, but which gained a great degree of cult status and appreciation for their artistic distinction years after their release.

I didn't think the original Untouchables was too bad, but there was nothing great about the performances -- Deniro was comfortable in gangster mode (and had very limited camera time anyway), and Kevin Costner, Andy Garcia, and Sean Connery were all pretty dull. Then again, I suppose the roles didn't really give these actors anything to really sink their teeth into. The only thing that really saved this movie and kept the plotline flowing was the cinematography, and DePalma's directorial style, which is always defined by his wonderful, twisting, panoramic, unconventionally distinctive camera usage which he uses to build tension and suspense. One thing I've always admired about DePalma throughout the years is his ability to bring out the best in any actor through his camera usage. And I'm not just talking about his ability to elicit great performances from his casts. I'm talking about his ability to literally build a suspenseful, intriguing storyline around around otherwise dull performers (i.e., John Travolta and Nancy Allen in "Blowout," Angie Dickinson in "Dressed to Kill," Craig Wasson and Melanie Griffith in "Body Double," Margot Kidder in "Sisters," Donald Beeman in "Get To Know Your Rabbit," Kevin Costner in "Untouchables," Nicolas Cage in "Snake Eyes," and Antonio Banderas in "Femme Fatale"). Not too many directors can do that. He's definitely one of my all time favorite directors, right up there with Roman Polanski, Todd Solondz, Sidney Lumet, and Alan Pakula.

When all is said and done though, I'd rather have a wonderful filmmaker like DePalma working on this prequel, because if anyone can make it good he can. It won't be a complete joke like the half-assed prequel that was made to DePalma's "Carlito's Way."

I do have to say that I really wish Nicholas Cage wasn't going to be in this flick. I think he's a horrible actor who more or less over-acts (usually through corny, unwarranted physical and emotionally-melodramatic acting) in every movie he's in, even where the role doesn't necessarily call for it. I think sincerity in an actor's countenance is something to be appreciated, but Cage has allowed it to define his ability, which is a no no. The only Cage movie I've ever liked is "Leaving Las Vegas." Cage and DePalma worked together on Snake Eyes, and the movie really didn't turn out to be too great. I thought it was crafted wonderfully, but two things really screwed the movie up: (1) Cage's acting, which was so over-the-top that I couldn't even take him seriously, and (2) the fact that the only real plot twist was revealed during the theatrical previews and commercials to the movie. It was sad, because Gary Senise's performance in that film was wonderful, but it was overshadowed by Cage's nonsensical performance.

[Maverick]

I loved the original Untouchables, you felt like you were in Chicago during prohibition, the scene with Deniro at the table with the baseball bat was classic.

[Gspot555]

Untouchables is an all time classic...


This wont come close, but I will definitely see it.