How Liam Neeson Rescued ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’ from Development Hell

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Although Harrison Ford is well-known for portraying heroic and fantastical characters like Indiana Jones and Han Solo, he hasn’t shied away from taking on more complex roles with darker undertones. Films such as “The Mosquito Coast” (1986) and “What Lies Beneath” (2000) show him transforming into sinister figures, while his role in “Blade Runner” (1982) saw him play a cold and indifferent police officer with a biased attitude towards androids. Given that Ford has demonstrated versatility across the spectrum of character traits, it’s surprising to learn that he declined the opportunity to portray private detective Scudder in the 2014 film “A Walk Among the Tombstones.

As a dedicated fan, I’d like to share an interesting perspective from an interview with Daniel Robert Epstein (for The Suicide Girls) featuring Scott Frank, the director of a certain movie. According to Frank, the Star Wars actor allegedly showed signs of apprehension, stating that he was “wary about the depth of darkness in that character.” However, some speculate it might have been more about the actor’s reluctance towards smaller-budget projects (this film had a $28 million budget). Online discussions even suggest that Ford found the role intimidating due to its acting demands. Although his extensive filmography might challenge this viewpoint, the project was put on hold for a decade, leaving us still uncertain about Ford’s decision to step away. Later, Liam Neeson took up the role.

Playing an Ex-Cop With a Harrowing Backstory in ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’

Frank once again spoke up about the casting choice for this film. In an interview with IndieWire in 2014, he stated, “A Walk Among the Tombstones wouldn’t have been made without Liam Neeson.” The movie certainly seems fitting with Neeson taking on the lead role, and it’s no secret that he has excelled in thrillers for quite some time. In fact, the first two Taken films were box office sensations, and 2011’s The Grey was critically acclaimed.

To clarify, it’s important to note that this film was indeed an action movie. Yet, nestled within the high-octane scenes, the character of Matthew Scudder had a compelling backstory that significantly impacted the climax. While Ford may have excelled in fast-paced, action-packed roles, he might not have been as convincing in the slower, more emotional scenes shown briefly. Evidence supporting this can be found in the box office performances of two of his movies from that period: “K-19: The Widowmaker” (2002) and “Firewall” (2006). It appears that Frank’s assessment was accurate, in more aspects than one.

Neeson Did What Ford… and Jeff Bridges Couldn’t

The movie “A Walk Among the Tombstones” is based on a 1992 crime novel of the same name by author Lawrence Block. Known for his prolific writing, Block has given life to the character Matt Scudder in no less than 21 novels. In fact, the fifth book featuring Scudder, titled “8 Million Ways To Die” (released in 1982), was adapted into a film four years later. However, despite Jeff Bridges playing the role of Scudder, the movie didn’t perform well at the box office. Alternatively, one could say that the role of Scudder initially went to Ford, but he backed out, and before that, Bridges struggled to bring the private detective character to a new medium.

Although no new movie featuring Liam Neeson has been revealed yet, his portrayal of an alcoholic former cop in a 2014 film was highly praiseworthy. Not only did he handle the challenging flashback scene depicting Scudder’s troubled past (where Scudder accidentally killed a girl during a pursuit), but he also skillfully adjusted his performance when interacting with T.J., who was brilliantly played by Brian Bradley at 17 years old.

Absolutely! The exciting tension and plotlines reminiscent of “Taken” could captivate many cinema-goers, but what’s particularly noteworthy is Neeson’s versatility in portraying both a worried caretaker for a stranger and a menacing negotiator during phone conversations with the film’s villains.

The Truth Behind Harrison Ford’s Departure

The pinnacle finds him juggling these distinct personality facets, which is quite captivating. This observation was also made by Roger Ebert in his review, stating the duo’s relationship appeared “genuine and unsentimental.” According to Scott Frank, it was this intricate character development that might have perplexed Ford. The Daniel Robert Epstein interview sheds more light on the matter towards the end. After Epstein suggested Ford may have only wanted to star in top-tier films, Frank not only agreed but also shared another striking revelation.

In other words, although Frank believes that Harrison Ford might not fully grasp his current fan base, the comment still carries significant weight. The graphic portrayal of the serial killers’ activities and the initial incident, which is downright cruel, can be quite disturbing. However, for today’s audiences, A Walk Among the Tombstones could be considered an undervalued crime film that’s worth watching. You can stream it on Netflix at this moment.

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2025-03-14 04:02