EXCLUSIVE Benicio Del Toro Rejected to Star in Death Wish Remake After one year in pre-production, last February Joe Carnahan (The Grey, The A-Team) walked away from the Death Wish remake alleging creative differences with the studio. One of those reported differences was that he had in mind Frank Grillo and Russell Crowe to play brothers, while Paramount wanted someone like Bruce Willis, Will Smith or Brad Pitt to be the lead. One month later, Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo (Miss Bala) was brought on board as the new helmer. Insiders tell Desde Hollywood that the actor Naranjo fought for was Benicio Del Toro. He not only looks like Charles Bronson but also the Academy Award Winner proved once again in Savages that he is one of the best in his craft. However, the studio rejected the idea, showing some apprehension in working with the Puerto-Rican. Let’s remember that he was going to be in Star Trek: Into Darkness (probably to play Khan) until negotiations with Paramount fell apart, according to some reports, over money. The story is currently described on IMDB as one where “A mild-mannered father is transformed into a killing machine after his family is torn apart by a violent act”. We hear that the writing process isn’t over and that the shooting start date will probably be delayed. Mainly because the studio can’t decide between Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt (Smith no longer in the mix), two actors that have proven their willingness to “go dark”. What do you think of this? Was Benicio Del Toro the perfect casting choice? Is Willis or Pitt more fitting for this role?
