COWBOYS AND ALIENS assembles an impressive cast

COWBOYS AND ALIENS assembles an impressive cast

May 04

While ol’ shell-head continues to rake in dosh from his big release last week, it’s time to turn our sights onto Jon Favreau’s next project. He’s been attached to Cowboys And Aliens for some time now, and when I first heard about the project I thought “Oh look, here comes a silly little B-movie project about cowboys and aliens that will probably be in 3D,” but now, after a steady trickle of news on the project, I have to say I’m intrigued enough to actually see the flick when it lands in cinemas next year.

The catalyst for this change has been the casting. Robert Downey Jr. was originally set to re-team with Jon Favreau in another starring role, but was soon replaced by Daniel Craig; not that I dislike RDJ, but that’s fine with me. Bringing the extra X chromosome to the action is Olivia Wilde, who’s also set to appear in this year’s Tron, and seems to be something of an up-and-comer. Then — and this was the clincher for me — Harrison Ford stepped up to the plate and signed on the bottom line. The latest actor to join the team, as if Han Solo / Indiana Jones wasn’t enough, is Moon‘s Sam Rockwell, who I’ve liked since seeing him in Galaxy Quest over a decade ago.

I rarely see a movie on account of its stars; in fact, there are no currently-active Hollywood actors who inspire me to see every single flick they’re in. I’m more of a “Who’s directing it?” or “What’s it about?” kind of person, rather than an “OMG Jennifer Aniston” type. But for once, a movie has managed to assemble enough interesting actors to pique my interest. Individually they’re all okay — but put them all together and it becomes a must-see film for me. Funny how that works, isn’t it?

Oh, and the plot’s about aliens disrupting the United States’ invasion of North America, forcing the cowboys to join forces with the Indians to fight for humanity. Expect some heavy-handed invasion / slavery imagery, and another (not un-welcome) admission of guilt from white America.

Look, it’s even got a release date, and everything — 29th July 2011. I’ll be there.