While he’s probably still best known to North American audiences as that creepy guy who squared off against James Bond in “Casino Royale,” Mads Mikkelsen, perhaps Denmark’s biggest star, has made his most serious Hollywood inroads yet as part of NBC‘s “Hannibal.” Believe it or not, the show — if not quite there yet — is bursting with potential, a police procedural with Hannibal Lecter at its core and assurances from the creators that the grisly nature of the eminent psychologists true culinary proclivities won’t be secret for too long (though they have said that the reveal will only arrive if the show gets renewed.) Meanwhile, this summer Mikkelsen will lead the wrenching Danish drama “The Hunt,” (we gave it an A-) which comes from Thomas Vinterberg, director of Cannes Jury Prize-winner “Festen.” So what’s next? How about a western?
First announced back in February, cameras are now rolling on “The Salvation” and the first snap of a badass-looking shotgun-wielding Mikkelsen has arrived, and yeah, we’re sold already. A pretty solid supporting cast has joined with Eva Green, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jonathan Pryce, Eric Cantona (“Looking For Eric“), Mikael Persbrandt (“In A Better World“), Douglas Henshall and Michael Raymond-James signing up. Directed by Kristian Levring (who also produced “The Hunt“), and said to be inspired by Nordic and Viking sagas (rad), the film is set in 1870s America and follows a settler in a corrupt community attempting to avenge the murder of his family. Here’s the official synopsis:
It’s the 1870s America. When settler John kills his family’s murderer, he unleashes the fury of notorious gang leader Delarue. Betrayed by his corrupt and cowardly community, the peaceful pioneer must turn vengeful hunter, slay the outlaws, and cleanse the town’s black heart.
No word yet on who is slotting into what supporting role, but lensing is already underway and anticipated to last eight weeks, so festival circuit next year is a possibility. We’ll keep an eye out. [Deadline]