Wikipedia

Hunter Killer(film)

This article is about a film. For other uses, seehunter-killer submarine.

Hunter Killeris a 2018 Americanaction thrillerfilm directed by Donovan Marsh, written by Arne Schmidt andJamie Moss,and based on the 2012 novelFiring PointbyDon Keithand George Wallace. The film starsGerard ButlerandGary OldmanwithMichael Nyqvist(in one of his final film roles),Common,Linda CardelliniandToby Stephensin supporting roles, and follows a submarine crew and a group ofUnited States Navy SEALswho rescue the captured Russian President from a coup.

Hunter Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDonovan Marsh
Screenplay by
Based on
Firing Point
by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTom Marais
Edited byMichael J. Duthie
Music byTrevor Morris
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • October 26, 2018(2018-10-26)(United States)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Russian
Budget$40 million[1]
Box office$31.7 million[2][3]

Hunter Killerwas released in the United States on October 26, 2018, bySummit Premiere.The filmbombed at the box-officeand received mixed reviews from critics, who saw it as "an undemanding, by-the-numbers actioner".[4]

Plot

edit

The U.S.Los Angeles-classsubmarineUSSTampa Bay,disappears while shadowing the RussianAkula-class submarineKonek,in the Arctic. Rear Admiral John Fisk orders the newly promoted and unconventional Commander Joe Glass to lead the investigation on board theVirginia-classsubmarineUSSArkansas.

At the same time, Lieutenant Bill Beaman leads aNavy SEALteam on a covert mission to observe a Russian naval base inPolyarny, Murmansk Oblast.At the base, the SEALs witness Defense MinisterAdmiral of the FleetDmitriy Durov staging acoup d'étatand capturing Russian President Nikolai Zakarin. They quickly realize that Durov's intention is to instigate a war. The SEALs narrowly avoid detection during a radio intercept check by the Russians but Martinelli is shot in the leg by a Russian officer who blindly fires at their concealed position. Consequently, the team is forced to leave him behind.

Meanwhile,Arkansasmakes a distressing discovery as they come across the wreckage ofTampa Bay,with no survivors found. Additionally, they stumble upon the sunken Russian submarineKonek,which appears to have been damaged from within, indicating possible internal sabotage rather than an external attack. Their situation takes a turn for the worse when they are unexpectedly attacked by another Russian submarine,Volkov,which had been concealed beneath an iceberg. It becomes evident thatVolkovwas responsible for the unprovoked torpedoing ofTampa Bay.However,Arkansasmanages to retaliate and successfully rescues the Russian survivors fromKonek,including their commanding officer,Captain 2nd rankSergei Andropov.

The U.S. government uncovers the coup, leading Admiral Charles Donnegan to recommend war preparations. However, Fisk suggests thatArkansasshould rendezvous with Beaman's team once they rescue Zakarin. Glass persuades the hesitant Andropov to provide assistance and must also convince his crew to accept Andropov's presence and trust him. Utilizing Andropov's expertise in navigating the challenging underwater terrain and the minefield guarding the base, Glass successfully guidesArkansasnear the base undetected.

Beaman's team manages to save Oleg, an agent of theRussian Presidential Security Service,who was previously shot while protecting Zakarin by Durov's men. They work together to infiltrate the base and successfully retrieve President Zakarin, but lose Oleg, Devin Hall, and Matt Johnstone in the process. With Martinelli providing sniper cover, Beaman brings the injured president toArkansas'sdeep-submergence rescue vehicleand then returns alone to rescue Martinelli.

As the U.S. and Russian fleets prepare for battle,Arkansassuffers more damage when it is attacked by RFSYevchenko,Andropov's old ship, which is now under the command of Captain Vlade Sutrev, a member of Durov's conspiracy. However, Andropov manages to convey a message to theYevchenkothat President Zakarin is on board the submarine. When Durov instructs his forces at the base to fire missiles at the surfacedArkansas,Glass refuses to take action, realizing that retaliating could initiate the war he is trying to prevent.

In the final moments, Andropov's former crew disobey orders and successfully destroys the incoming missiles with theirclose-in weapon systembefore they can hit theArkansas.They then proceed to destroy the naval base headquarters with their own missiles, killing Durov. With the war avoided, Glass docks theArkansasat the Russian naval base to return Zakarin and the survivingKonekcrew members to their country. TheArkansaspicks up Beaman and Martinelli and leaves Polyarny, escorted by the Russian Navy.

Cast

edit

Production

edit

Relativity Mediafirst purchased the spec script, written by Arne Schmidt and adapted from the novelFiring Point,in 2008.Pierre Morelwas in talks to direct.[5]In February 2011,Varietyreported thatPhillip Noycewas hired to direct the film.John KolvenbachandJamie Mossprovided rewrites to the script; the latter's rewrites was what interested Noyce to direct.[6]Production was set to begin at the end of the year before Noyce left the project, citing similarities between other films that he previously helmed, and moved on to films likeAbove Suspicion.[7]Antoine Fuquawas later hired to replace him, and a release date was set for December 21, 2012.[8]Gerard Butlerwas cast as Joe Glass andSam Worthingtonwas considered for Bill Beaman.[9]Fuqua and Butler later left production to work onOlympus Has Fallen,and the film remained in development hell as directors likeMcGandSteven Qualepassed on the film.[10][11]Gerard Butler eventually returned to the film asMartin Campbellwas chosen to direct.CommonandBilly Bob Thorntonwere added to the cast, andPeter Craigprovided uncredited rewrites.[12][13]

On November 12, 2015, it was announced that a deal between producers of the film had been made, that Relativity,Neal H. Moritz,and Toby Jaffe'sOriginal Filmwould now produce the film along withMillennium Films,which would also co-finance and distribute.[14]On March 3, 2016, it was announced that Donovan Marsh would direct the film andGerard ButlerandGary Oldmanwould star, with Original Film'sNeal H. Moritzand Toby Jaffe producing the film along with Butler, Tooley Productions'Tucker Tooley,Alan Siegel,and Millennium's Mark Gill, John Thompson, Matt O'Toole and Les Weldon.[15]On June 23, 2016, Taylor John Smith was cast in the film to play a sonar man on the sub.[16]On July 6, 2016,Gabriel Chavarriajoined the film to play a Navy SEAL aboard the U.S. submarine,[17]next day,Zane Holtzalso joined the film to play "Martinelli," a brave and skilled member of the elite unit.[18]On July 13, 2016,Michael TruccoandRyan McPartlinalso came aboard to play a weapons specialist Devin Hall, and an ex-SEAL and CIA medic Matt Johnstone, respectively.[19]On July 19, 2016,Michael Nyqvistwas added to the cast to play Captain Sergei Andropov.[20]On July 21, 2016,David Gyasijoined the film to play the Chief of the Boat of the submarine USSOmaha,[21]withToby Stephenscast to play Lt. Beaman, head of the black ops squad.[22]On August 4, 2016,Linda Cardellinijoined the cast.[23]

Principal photographyon the film began on July 25, 2016, in London, and in Bulgaria.[15][24]Interior sets of aVirginia-classHunter Killersubmarine were built atEaling Studios,using blueprints approved by the U.S. Navy, with the spaces expanded slightly to allow freer camera movement. The sets were mounted on a gimbal to simulate the movement of the sea. Ealing also hosted a Pentagon set from where U.S. military personnel track the submarine action. The Former Legal & General Building in Kingswood, Surrey, U.K. was also utilised as a part of The Pentagon.

Although the heroes of the movie are portrayed as U.S Navy SEALs the costuming department for the movie used commercially available uniforms in A-TACS FG camouflage[25]which is not a pattern in use by the U.S Navy.[26]

An exterior set of the main Hunter Killer submarine was built inPinewood Studios’ 806,000-gallon exterior water tank, while underwater scenes were shot using a separate water tank atWarner Bros. Studios, Leavesden,also just outside London. Interiors of the Russian base were built as sets atNu Boyana Film Studiosin Bulgarian capital, Sofia.[27]

Release

edit

The film was released in the United States on October 26, 2018, byLionsgatethrough theSummit Premierelabel. It was released in several territories, including the United Kingdom, the week before on October 19, 2018.[28]

InUkraine,the film was scheduled to premiere on October 25, but theUkraine Ministry of Culturedenied it an exhibition license based on a 2012 law on cinematography that banned "the distribution and screening of films, the goal of which is to popularise the bodies of an aggressor state and/or Soviet state security organs". According to a representative of theUkrainian State Film Agency(Derzhkino), screening the film would be illegal because it contains a "positive image of the Russian president and admiral of the Russian army".[29]Ukrainian-Russian relationshave deteriorated since the2014 Russian annexation of Crimea.[30]

InRussia,the film was scheduled to premiere on November 1, but the film failed to obtain an exhibition license from theculture ministry.[30]The ministry stated that the copy of the movie submitted by the distributor for review was of poor quality and the replacement was submitted too late for the ministry to review it in time.[30]

Home media

edit

Hunter Killerwas released on digital on January 15, 2019, and onUltra HD Blu-ray,Blu-rayandDVDon January 29, 2019, byLionsgate Home Entertainment.[31]

Reception

edit

Box office

edit

Hunter Killergrossed $15.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $15.9 million in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $31.7 million.[2][3]

In the United States and Canada,Hunter Killerwas released alongsideIndivisibleandJohnny English Strikes Again,and was projected to gross $5–9 million from 2,720 theaters in its opening weekend.[32]The film made $2.6 million on its first day, including $420,000 from Thursday night previews.[33]It went on to debut to $6.7 million, finishing fifth at the box office and marking the worst debut for Butler sincePlaying for Keeps($5.8 million) in 2012.[1]The film made $3.5 million in its second weekend, falling to ninth.[34]

Critical response

edit

OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 37% based on 114 reviews, with an average score of 4.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Much like the submarine in its story,Hunter Killercruises the murky action depths, following a perfunctory course into territory that's been charted many times before. "[35]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 43 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[36]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, whilePostTrakreported filmgoers gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[1]

Bilge Ebiri ofVulture.comwrote:

Hunter Killerwon't win any awards for originality, but it may win a couple for the brazenness with which it stacks clichés upon clichés. Basically, it'sCrimson TidemeetsLone SurvivormeetsUnder Siegemeets a Russian variation onOlympus Has Fallen,with a bit ofGeostormthrown in. At least three of those movies are pretty good, so the overall math works in the film's favor.[37]

Norman Wilner ofToronto'sNowaccused Marsh of ripping offJohn McTiernan'sThe Hunt For Red Octoberand stated that "The constant agitation and bone-deep respect for all things military is straight out ofClancy’splaybook, but there’s noJack Ryanfigure to humanize it all. "[38]

References

edit
  1. ^abcD'Alessandro, Anthony (October 28, 2018)."'Halloween' Screams $32M Second Weekend As October B.O. Moves Toward Record ".Deadline Hollywood.Penske Business Media.RetrievedOctober 28,2018.
  2. ^ab"Hunter Killer (2018)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedOctober 30,2019.
  3. ^ab"Hunter Killer (2018) - Financial Information".The Numbers.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
  4. ^Fujitani, Ryan (October 25, 2018)."Hunter KillerIs Substandard ".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedOctober 26,2018.
  5. ^Fleming, Michael (September 30, 2008)."Relativity nabs Schmidt's 'Killer' spec".Variety.RetrievedApril 6,2022.
  6. ^Sneider, Jeff (February 17, 2011)."Phillip Noyce to helm 'Hunter Killer'".Variety.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  7. ^"Exclusive: No Hunter Killer for Noyce".Moviehole.August 20, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2011.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  8. ^Sneider, Jeff (September 28, 2011)."Fuqua in 'Hunter Killer' talks".Variety.
  9. ^Sneider, Jeff (October 13, 2011)."Gerard Butler surfaces in 'Hunter Killer'".Variety.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  10. ^Kroll, Justin (May 20, 2013)."McG Chasing Down 'Hunter Killer' for Relativity (Exclusive)".Variety.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  11. ^Sneider, Jeff (May 5, 2014)."'Into the Storm's' Steven Quale to Direct 'Hunter Killer' for Relativity (Exclusive) ".The Wrap.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  12. ^Sneider, Jeff (September 16, 2014)."'Casino Royale's' Martin Campbell in Talks to Direct 'Hunter Killer' for Relativity (Exclusive) ".The Wrap.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  13. ^McNary, Dave (March 25, 2015)."Common, Billy Bob Thornton Join 'Hunter Killer' (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedApril 4,2022.
  14. ^Patten, Dominic (November 12, 2015)."Relativity & Neal Moritz Strike 'Hunter Killer' Deal; Millennium Films On Board".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 15,2015.
  15. ^abFleming, Mike Jr. (March 3, 2016)."'Hunter Killer' Moving Ahead; Donovan Marsh Helms Gerard Butler/Gary Oldman Thriller In London July 25th ".Deadline.RetrievedMarch 7,2016.
  16. ^Pedersen, Erik (June 23, 2016)."Taylor John Smith Dives Into 'Hunter Killer'; Hiroyuki Sanada Gets 'Life'".RetrievedJune 25,2016.
  17. ^Lincoln, Ross A. (July 6, 2016)."Gabriel Chavarria Enlists In Action Thriller 'Hunter Killer'".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  18. ^Lincoln, Ross A. (July 7, 2016)."Zane Holtz Comes Aboard 'Hunter Killer'; Marcus Vanco Joins 'Day Of The Dead' Remake".Deadline.RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  19. ^Pedersen, Erik (July 13, 2016)."Michael Trucco & Ryan McPartlin Sail With 'Hunter Killer'; Wendy Braun Joins 'The Clapper'".RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  20. ^Galuppo, Mia; Ford, Rebecca (July 19, 2016)."'John Wick' Actor Michael Nyqvist Joins Gerard Butler in 'Hunter Killer' (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  21. ^Lee, Ashley; Ford, Rebecca (July 21, 2016)."'Containment' Actor David Gyasi Joins Gerard Butler in 'Hunter Killer' (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  22. ^Busch, Anita (July 21, 2016)."Toby Stephens Takes Co-Star Lead Opposite Gerard Butler In 'Hunter Killer'".RetrievedJuly 22,2016.
  23. ^Hipes, Patrick (August 4, 2016)."Linda Cardellini Joins 'Hunter Killer' Cast".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 8,2016.
  24. ^Goundry, Nick (July 20, 2016)."Hunter Killer to start filming in London".RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
  25. ^"Our Patterns – A-TACS Camo".
  26. ^.Ironically A-TACS FG is now the standard camo pattern used by the Russian National Guard"Tactical Gear Used by Navy Seals: A Comprehensive List - Trailhead Tactical".28 April 2021.
  27. ^"UK studio filming"(PDF).www.kftv.com.October 22, 2018.Retrieved2019-07-13.
  28. ^Busch, Anita (March 23, 2018)."'Hunter Killer', Starring Gerard Butler & Gary Oldman, Pegged For October Release ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 23,2018.
  29. ^"Hollywood film banned in Russia and Ukraine – but for different reasons".JAMNews.November 5, 2018.
  30. ^abc'Hunter Killer' Premiere Canceled in Russia, Ukraine,The Hollywood Reporter(1 October 2018)
  31. ^Latchem, John (January 10, 2019)."Lionsgate Announces 'Hunter Killer' Home Release".Media Play News.RetrievedFebruary 6,2019.
  32. ^Rubin, Rebecca (October 24, 2018)."'Halloween' to Make Another Killing at the Box Office ".Variety.RetrievedOctober 24,2018.
  33. ^Brad Brevet (October 26, 2018)."'Halloween' Set for Second Weekend at #1 as Holdovers Continue to Dominate ".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedOctober 25,2018.
  34. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 4, 2018)."'Bohemian Rhapsody' Sends Thunderbolts And Lightning Through B.O. As Freddie Mercury Biopic Hits $50M Opening ".Deadline Hollywood.Penske Business Media.RetrievedNovember 7,2018.
  35. ^"Hunter Killer (2018)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  36. ^"Hunter Killer (2018) Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedNovember 2,2018.
  37. ^Ebiri, Bilge (25 October 2018)."Sub Thriller Hunter Killer Is a Satisfyingly Clichéd Throwback to Simpler Times".Vulture.com.
  38. ^Wilner, Norman (2018-10-24)."Review: Hunter Killer is a Tom Clancy knockoff with an overqualified cast".NOW Magazine.Retrieved2019-11-08.[permanent dead link‍]
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hunter_Killer_(film)&oldid=1261724310"