With the main names for crime thriller Parker either in place (Jason Statham) or in final talks (Jennifer Lopez), director Taylor Hackford is now scouting around to fill out the rest of the cast. And he’s just convinced Clifton Collins Jr and Wire veteran Wendell Pierce to sign on.
Parker is based on Donald Westlake’s long-running novel series, one that focus on the titular thief (Statham). While he’s occasionally required to kill, he lives by a strict code of honour that includes never stealing from those who need the money. He’s not a man to be trifled with, and will strike back mercilessly if crossed. So you can probably guess what happens in the film…
Lopez is locking in the role of Leslie, a woman who crosses paths with Parker during a heist. There’s no word on who Collins or Pierce will be playing.
Collins, last seen in the likes of Star Trek, Crank: High Voltage and a hilarious, tiny cameo as one of the Vegan Police in Scott Pilgrim, has comedy pic Freeloaders and horror thriller Hellbenders on their way through post-production. Pierce, a Hackford veteran of Ray and Love Ranch, will crop up in Horrible Bosses and was recently back on the small screen in the second season of New Orleans-set drama Treme.
Hackford will direct Parker from Black Swan writer John J McLaughlin’s script later this year.