Netflix Developing a Battle-To-The-Death Thriller Called Button Man with 42 Director Brian Helgeland
Netflix is producing a film adaptation of the the graphic novel, Button Man: The Killing Game. They’ve also hired Brian Helgeland to write and direct it. He’s best know for directing A Knights Tale and 42 and has also written scripts for a ton of films such as L.A. Confidential, Mystic River, Green Zone, Robin Hood, and more.
For those of you not familiar with the story, it is about a man named Harry Exton, an ex-mercenary who is a "Button Man" which is a hired killer pitted against other killers in an underground sport. Each works for a mysterious "Voice", a rich man of unknown identity. The object of the game is to kill your opponent, or capture him and take his marker - the first two joints of a finger. Button Men who lose three fingers are shot anyway. The "voices" profit from the game by gambling on the outcome,...
For those of you not familiar with the story, it is about a man named Harry Exton, an ex-mercenary who is a "Button Man" which is a hired killer pitted against other killers in an underground sport. Each works for a mysterious "Voice", a rich man of unknown identity. The object of the game is to kill your opponent, or capture him and take his marker - the first two joints of a finger. Button Men who lose three fingers are shot anyway. The "voices" profit from the game by gambling on the outcome,...
- 3/18/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The comic book adaptation is moving forward with Dreamworks hiring screenwriter Matt Cook. Based on the series written by John Wagner (Judge Dredd) the comic book follows the story of a contract killer (or button man) who participates in a deathmatch against other contract killers in a bizarre tournament orchestrated by the wealthy. When lead protagonist Harry Exton decides he wants to quit he finds leaving the game isn't as easy as he had hoped. Refn burst onto the mainstream stage with 2011's Drive and is currently finishing Only God Forgives, two films that star actor Ryan Gosling. What's the likelihood that Refn and Gosling re-team for another bloody-thriller in Button Man: The Killing Game? Button Man is a comic strip created for the British comic 2000 Ad, written by John Wagner and illustrated by Arthur Ranson. A group of millionaires hire their own hit men...
- 2/28/2013
- ComicBookMovie.com
Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn's movie adaptation of Button Man: The Killing Game is moving forward.
Screenwriter Matt Cook has joined the 2000Ad-inspired project to redraft its script, according to Deadline.
Button Man, based on the comic series by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson, tells the story of an assassin who realises he must take out his employees to fulfil his wish of leaving the business.
Insomnia scribe Hilary Seitz and Paranoia co-screenwriter Barry Levy penned the initial script for DreamWorks, which Cook will rework.
Roger Kass, Josh Braun, Mark Sourian and Michael De Luca will produce the project for the studio.
Button Man: The Killing Game is yet to receive a release date.
Watch a trailer for Drive below:...
Screenwriter Matt Cook has joined the 2000Ad-inspired project to redraft its script, according to Deadline.
Button Man, based on the comic series by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson, tells the story of an assassin who realises he must take out his employees to fulfil his wish of leaving the business.
Insomnia scribe Hilary Seitz and Paranoia co-screenwriter Barry Levy penned the initial script for DreamWorks, which Cook will rework.
Roger Kass, Josh Braun, Mark Sourian and Michael De Luca will produce the project for the studio.
Button Man: The Killing Game is yet to receive a release date.
Watch a trailer for Drive below:...
- 2/28/2013
- Digital Spy
1.) Nicolas Winding Refn's adaptation of the ultra-violent graphic novel "Button Man: The Killing Game" has found a new scribe in Matt Cook. The film is set up at Dreamworks and the story centers on Harry Exton, a hired gun who decides to abandon the death match that gambling millionaires have set up to amuse themselves. In the process of opting out, he finds he might not only have to kill his fellow contestants but also the guys pulling the strings. Hilary Seitz (Insomnia) and Barry Levy (Paranoia) penned the first draft. Side Note: Is it just me or does the guy on the cover of that graphic novel look exactly like Brian Dennehy? Deadline 2.) Tom Hardy is set to play an Sas veteran returning from the Middle East in Samarkand for first time feature director Greg Williams. Hardy's character suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) as he tries to reintegrate into society.
- 2/28/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Matt Cook ("By Way Of Helena") is the latest scribe to come onboard the film adaptation of "Button Man: The Killing Game" for DreamWorks.
The story centers on Harry Exton, a hired gun who decides to abandon a death match that gambling millionaires have set up to amuse themselves.
In the process of opting out, he finds he might not only have to kill his fellow contestants but also the guys pulling the strings.
Hilary Seitz and Barry Levy previously worked on the script for this adaptation of the ultra-violent graphic novel.
"Drive" director Nicolas Winding Refn is attached to direct. Roger Kass, Josh Braun, Mark Sourian and Michael De Luca are producing.
Source: Deadline...
The story centers on Harry Exton, a hired gun who decides to abandon a death match that gambling millionaires have set up to amuse themselves.
In the process of opting out, he finds he might not only have to kill his fellow contestants but also the guys pulling the strings.
Hilary Seitz and Barry Levy previously worked on the script for this adaptation of the ultra-violent graphic novel.
"Drive" director Nicolas Winding Refn is attached to direct. Roger Kass, Josh Braun, Mark Sourian and Michael De Luca are producing.
Source: Deadline...
- 2/28/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The adaptation of John Wagner's comic series Button Man: The Killing Game has surely taken its sweet time to get made. We've heard talks about a movie dating back as far as 2009, but the project got its first stroke of luck last summer when it was announced that Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn was attached to helm. We haven't heard much about the project since, as the Danish filmmaker has been busy working on the upcoming Only God Forgives with Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas, but today we learn that the engine is now revving and the wheels are finally starting to roll. Deadline has learned that screenwriter Matt Cook has been hired to take a new crack at the script for Button Man, which was originally drafted by Hilary Seitz and Barry Levy. The new writer doesn't have any produced films on his resume, but his script...
- 2/27/2013
- cinemablend.com
The John Wagner and Arthur Ranson comic book Button Man: The Killing Game has had a tough road trying to get to the big screen. Originally set to be made by A History of Violence executive producers Roger Kass and Josh Braun, the project is now in active development at DreamWorks with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn set to direct. Now, Deadline is reporting that screenwriter Matt Cook (whose script "By Way of Helena" appeared on the Hollywood Black List) has been commissioned to write the screenplay for Button Man . The plot for Button Man has a group of millionaires, "The Fixers," organizing a deadly game of murder amongst "Button Men," guns-for-hire that they pay to kill one another. When one man, Harry Exton,...
- 2/27/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Seeing as stills are starting to come out for Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn’s latest project, Only God Forgives, one can only assume that work on that film is moving along swimmingly and it’s probably time to start wondering about what he’s going to do next. If the 24-hour news cycle is good for anything, it’s promoting constant speculation. This time, however, the speculation has the benefit of not being completely unfounded. Deadline Køge is reporting that Refn is currently in negotiations with Dreamworks to helm Button Man, an adaptation of a graphic novel called “Button Man: The Killing Game” that was written by Judge Dredd creator John Wagner. The comic book follows the misadventures of professional killer Harry Exton, who is hired to take part in a game where millionaires have trained assassins battle each other to the death for their amusement. It’s like The Hunger Games, only...
- 6/1/2012
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Ever since Nicolas Winding Refn nearly blew our heads clean off with "Drive" last year, the film industry has been curious as to what the Danish director might have up his sleeve next.
Industry insiders at Cannes got a sneak preview of Refn's next film, a new collaboration with Ryan Gosling, "Only God Forgives," but now Deadline is reporting that the director is in talks with Dreamworks to helm an adaption of John Wagner and Arthur Ranson's "Button Man: The Killing Game."
If you're unfamiliar with the book, the story is essentially "The Hunger Games," but the contestants are all hit men. (Ummm, sold!) The book follows Harry Exton, a hired gun, who finds himself involved in the hit man death match. The game is sponsored and bet on by millionaires, who pick a killer to win it all. Once Harry decides he wants out of the contest, his...
Industry insiders at Cannes got a sneak preview of Refn's next film, a new collaboration with Ryan Gosling, "Only God Forgives," but now Deadline is reporting that the director is in talks with Dreamworks to helm an adaption of John Wagner and Arthur Ranson's "Button Man: The Killing Game."
If you're unfamiliar with the book, the story is essentially "The Hunger Games," but the contestants are all hit men. (Ummm, sold!) The book follows Harry Exton, a hired gun, who finds himself involved in the hit man death match. The game is sponsored and bet on by millionaires, who pick a killer to win it all. Once Harry decides he wants out of the contest, his...
- 6/1/2012
- by Kevin P. Sullivan
- MTV Splash Page
Drive worked out so well for director Nicolas Winding Refn that he's keeping violence front and center in many of his upcoming projects. Deadline reports that Refn is in talks to direct a film adaptation of Judge Dredd creator John Wagner's comic Button Man: The Killing Game.
Likely given the greenlight because of the recent success of The Hunger Games, the film follows an ex-cop named Harry Exton who is given a ton of money to compete in elaborate killing games against other highly trained killers, all organized by a group of bored millionaires. Exton backs out of the games, but realizes that his only true way out may be to go after the organizers themselves.
I would have been pumped about this premise 15 years ago, but it's become such a cliche that it's tough to muster any excitement these days. Then again, Refn's Drive had the simple and...
Likely given the greenlight because of the recent success of The Hunger Games, the film follows an ex-cop named Harry Exton who is given a ton of money to compete in elaborate killing games against other highly trained killers, all organized by a group of bored millionaires. Exton backs out of the games, but realizes that his only true way out may be to go after the organizers themselves.
I would have been pumped about this premise 15 years ago, but it's become such a cliche that it's tough to muster any excitement these days. Then again, Refn's Drive had the simple and...
- 6/1/2012
- by benp
- GeekTyrant
Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), the man behind one of the finest films of last year, is in talks with DreamWorks to direct Button Man, an adaptation of the graphic novel, Button Man: The Killing Game, by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson, the former of whom also created Judge Dredd.
After deservedly taking the Best Director award at Cannes for Drive last year, Winding Refn has returned to work with Ryan Gosling on Only God Forgives, a project everyone is already talking about, which promises to be potentially even more stylistically violent than Drive.
Adding to that Button Man: The Killing Game sounds pretty damn awesome:
“The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and...
After deservedly taking the Best Director award at Cannes for Drive last year, Winding Refn has returned to work with Ryan Gosling on Only God Forgives, a project everyone is already talking about, which promises to be potentially even more stylistically violent than Drive.
Adding to that Button Man: The Killing Game sounds pretty damn awesome:
“The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and...
- 6/1/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn is in talks to direct Button Man. He is negotiating with DreamWorks over the adaptation of the 2000 Ad property, reports Deadline. The film will be based on the graphic novel Button Man: The Killing Game, which was written by John Wagner and illustrated by Arthur Ranson. It centres around hired gun Harry Exton, who is offered a substantial sum to perform for rich men in a game where (more)...
- 6/1/2012
- by By Hugh Armitage
- Digital Spy
Nicolas Winding Refn earned a passionate fan base among art-house moviegoers for his films Bronson, starring Dark Knight Rises villain Tom Hardy, the Viking drama Valhalla Rising and the crime thrillers known as the Pusher trilogy. Refn made a mainstream splash last year pairing with Ryan Gosling for Drive, a crime thriller about a Hollywood stunt driver (Gosling) turned getaway man. Deadline made Refn’s growing fan base happy with news today of the Danish filmmaker joining the DreamWorks adaptation of Button Man: The Killing Game; a graphic novel by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson.
- 6/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Nicolas Winding Refn earned a passionate fan base among art-house moviegoers for his films Bronson, starring Dark Knight Rises villain Tom Hardy, the Viking drama Valhalla Rising and the crime thrillers known as the Pusher trilogy. Refn made a mainstream splash last year pairing with Ryan Gosling for Drive, a crime thriller about a Hollywood stunt driver (Gosling) turned getaway man. Deadline made Refn’s growing fan base happy with news today of the Danish filmmaker joining the DreamWorks adaptation of Button Man: The Killing Game; a graphic novel by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson.
- 6/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
We had to take a moment when we first read news of Drive’s Nicolas Winding Refn entering talks to direct graphic novel adaptation Button Man: The Killing Game for DreamWorks. Because we had a brain blip and thought it said he was adapting Button Moon. Which, of course, would be utterly amazing.But he’s not, sadly for all those hoping that Ryan Gosling could be Mr Spoon. Instead, Refn is considering the prospect of directing The Killing Game, which finds former coppers and mercenaries hired by millionaires to take part in a game where they hunt one another to the death. The rich blobs bet on the outcome, but when our hero, Harry Exton, decides he’s had enough, he finds that his only real way out is to kill the shadowy cabal that runs the event.Crafted in its original form by Judge Dredd creator John Wagner and Arthur Ranson,...
- 6/1/2012
- EmpireOnline
We're not sure exactly how Dread-worthy this project will end up, but just in case, some exciting news has his the interwebs regarding Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn's next project, which could very well be a tasty graphic novel adaptation. Read on for more.
According to Deadline, Refn is in talks with DreamWorks to direct Button Man, an adaptation of the graphic novel Button Man: The Killing Game by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog) and Arthur Ranson. The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and when Exton gets disgusted and opts out, his only exit strategy might be to off the millionaires funding the competition.
Look for more soon if there's a need!
According to Deadline, Refn is in talks with DreamWorks to direct Button Man, an adaptation of the graphic novel Button Man: The Killing Game by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog) and Arthur Ranson. The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and when Exton gets disgusted and opts out, his only exit strategy might be to off the millionaires funding the competition.
Look for more soon if there's a need!
- 5/31/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Those of you who are really looking forward to director Nicolas Winding Refn's remake of Logan's Run may have to wait a little bit longer for the project to come together, as it looks like a new one has popped up and will be fighting for Refn's attention. Deadline reports that the director is now in talks to helm an adaptation of Button Man: The Killing Game, the graphic novel by John Wagner (who is best known for creating Judge Dredd) and Arthur Ranson. The story centers on Harry Exton, an ordinary hired gun who agrees to participate in a game set up by a bunch of millionaires in which he is forced to face off against some of the world's most dangerous killers in a fight to the death. When Exton grows tired of the game, he realizes that the only way to stop it is to go...
- 5/31/2012
- cinemablend.com
Nicolas Winding Refn, the arty genre director of "Drive," "Bronson" and "Valhalla Rising," is apparently planning a few chess moves ahead. And again, he's dabbling with Hollywood and major studios. The Danish filmmaker, already adapting a remake of "Logan's Run" for Warner Bros. is in talks to direct an adaptation of the graphic novel, "Button Man: The Killing Game" for DreamWorks.
Written by Arthur Ranson and John Wagner (who created the Judge Dredd graphic novel character), "Button Man: The Killing Game" centers on a former mercenary named Harry Exton, who is recruited into a game in which retired soldiers are sponsored by wealthy investors -- called "Voices," because they’re only heard on the telephone -- to face off against each other in fights to the death.
“Moneyball” producer Michael De Luca is one of the men shepherding this project. In development since at least 2008, scribes like Hillary Seitz (“Insomnia,...
Written by Arthur Ranson and John Wagner (who created the Judge Dredd graphic novel character), "Button Man: The Killing Game" centers on a former mercenary named Harry Exton, who is recruited into a game in which retired soldiers are sponsored by wealthy investors -- called "Voices," because they’re only heard on the telephone -- to face off against each other in fights to the death.
“Moneyball” producer Michael De Luca is one of the men shepherding this project. In development since at least 2008, scribes like Hillary Seitz (“Insomnia,...
- 5/31/2012
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Drive helmer Nicolas Winding Refn is in talks with DreamWorks to direct Button Man, an adaptation of the graphic novel Button Man: The Killing Game by John Wagner and Arthur Ranson. Wagner created Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog. The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and when Exton gets disgusted and opts out, his only exit strategy might be to off the millionaires funding the competition. The film is produced by Roger Kass, Josh Braun and Michael De Luca. Deal isn’t done yet, but it certainly is material that is a strong match for Refn. After the critical acclaim for the stylishly violent Drive, Refn re-teamed with Ryan Gosling for Only God Forgives,...
- 5/31/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
With its separation from Paramount complete, DreamWorks is putting a handful of projects on its high-priority list.
The writers, directors and actors the studio is talking with or already have attached are a diverse and prominent group, ranging from Clint Eastwood to Len Wiseman to Steve Carell to the writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
While there are many deals still to be negotiated and many green lights yet to be handed out, the studio is expected to move quickly as it builds its Reliance-funded and Universal-distributed slate -- more quickly than originally planned. Some movies could even go into production well ahead of DreamWorks' original fall '09 target.
DreamWorks communications exec Chip Sullivan declined to discuss specifics, but these projects are increasingly active:
-- "Motorcade": Big names are looking to join the convoy on this story of terrorists commandeering the presidential motorcade in Los Angeles. The...
The writers, directors and actors the studio is talking with or already have attached are a diverse and prominent group, ranging from Clint Eastwood to Len Wiseman to Steve Carell to the writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
While there are many deals still to be negotiated and many green lights yet to be handed out, the studio is expected to move quickly as it builds its Reliance-funded and Universal-distributed slate -- more quickly than originally planned. Some movies could even go into production well ahead of DreamWorks' original fall '09 target.
DreamWorks communications exec Chip Sullivan declined to discuss specifics, but these projects are increasingly active:
-- "Motorcade": Big names are looking to join the convoy on this story of terrorists commandeering the presidential motorcade in Los Angeles. The...
- 11/14/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik and Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Larry Meistrich's new Nehst Studios has unveiled its 2008 lineup, including six indie features and four Web/TV series.
The projects set to reach the starting gate first are Priyanka Kumar's dramatic feature The Flicker's Dance, Wayne Chesler's darkly comic horror film Fright Fest and the Little Rascals-style Web series Dribble Kick Throw.
Other features in the pipeline are Sridhar Reddy's India-based martial arts flick The Killing Moon, writer Rene Ashton's road movie Boy's Name, the gang war actioner Blood Stripe and the mining tragedy drama And One For All.
Planned Web series, which may be developed into TV projects, include the animated superhero serial National Triumph League and the college cooking showcase Cook U.
Most projects were brought to Meistrich through online pitches from its Web site PitchNehst.com, and others were developed from relationships through his years running the indie production outfit Shooting Gallery.
One of the latter projects is Dance, brought to Nehst by Steven C. Beer of GreenbergTraurig.
Nehst's Dana Offenbach will oversee production for the studio.
The projects set to reach the starting gate first are Priyanka Kumar's dramatic feature The Flicker's Dance, Wayne Chesler's darkly comic horror film Fright Fest and the Little Rascals-style Web series Dribble Kick Throw.
Other features in the pipeline are Sridhar Reddy's India-based martial arts flick The Killing Moon, writer Rene Ashton's road movie Boy's Name, the gang war actioner Blood Stripe and the mining tragedy drama And One For All.
Planned Web series, which may be developed into TV projects, include the animated superhero serial National Triumph League and the college cooking showcase Cook U.
Most projects were brought to Meistrich through online pitches from its Web site PitchNehst.com, and others were developed from relationships through his years running the indie production outfit Shooting Gallery.
One of the latter projects is Dance, brought to Nehst by Steven C. Beer of GreenbergTraurig.
Nehst's Dana Offenbach will oversee production for the studio.
A History of Violence producers Roger Kass and Josh Braun, Dark Sky Films and Larry Fessenden's Glass Eye Pix are partnering to produce the horror thriller The House of the Devil.
The feature from writer-director Ti West (Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever) will follow a young woman who takes on more than she bargained for in a babysitting job. Production is set to begin in Connecticut in mid-March, with casting now underway.
Submarine Entertainment's Braun, Studio Bang's Kass, Fessenden and Peter Phok are producing. Kass and Braun have a feature film adaptation of John Wagner's graphic novel Button Man in development at DreamWorks. Fessenden has produced, written, directed and starred in dozens of highbrow and lowbrow horror films.
The project was brought to Malik Ali and Greg Newman of Dark Sky parent company MPI Media Group by Marie-Therese Guirgis.
The feature from writer-director Ti West (Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever) will follow a young woman who takes on more than she bargained for in a babysitting job. Production is set to begin in Connecticut in mid-March, with casting now underway.
Submarine Entertainment's Braun, Studio Bang's Kass, Fessenden and Peter Phok are producing. Kass and Braun have a feature film adaptation of John Wagner's graphic novel Button Man in development at DreamWorks. Fessenden has produced, written, directed and starred in dozens of highbrow and lowbrow horror films.
The project was brought to Malik Ali and Greg Newman of Dark Sky parent company MPI Media Group by Marie-Therese Guirgis.
- 2/12/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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