It’s an idea so genius, it’s a miracle nobody’s done it before: making a film about a train loaded with assassins, and setting it on a literal Japanese bullet train. That’s the deal behind aptly-titled action-thriller Bullet Train, the latest film from David Leitch (previously co-director of John Wick, as well as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw), based on Kōtarō Isaka’s 2010 novel. With a starry cast, stylish visuals, and a Japanese cover of the Bee Gees, the first trailer gives a good idea of what to expect from this one: tons of blood-splattered fun. Watch it here:
In the central role here is Brad Pitt, playing it goofy and aloof as an assassin tasked with swiping a briefcase from a bullet train. But he’s not the only hired killer aboard, and soon it’s an all-out scrap for survival as a wider plot comes to light. Punchy action, neon-soaked visuals, and comic beats have been staples of Leitch’s entire filmography so far, and Bullet Train looks no different. There are fight-in-the-quiet-coach gags, stylish shots galore, sword-fights and knife-throws, all promising a fast and funny jolt of summer adrenaline.
Plus, the cast here is insane – Aaron Taylor-Johnson (in a Cockney accent no less), Bryan Tyree Henry (seemingly also donning a Cockney accent), Zazie Beetz in a train uniform, Japanese legend Hiroyuki Sanada, The Boys’ Karen Fukuhara, Joey King looking like a homicidal Selena Gomez, a near-unrecognizable Logan Lerman looking like Post Malone, and Michael Shannon in a long flowing wig. What more could you ask for? Well, Lady Gaga was supposed to be in it too, but sadly dropped out due to House Of Gucci scheduling conflicts. Otherwise, not much.
Find out if Bullet Train lives up to its giddy trailer – and Leitch’s previous action blasts – when it hits the big screen this summer on 15 July. Boom.