According to Deadline, Emmy winner Guy Pearce and The Matrix alum Monica Bellucci have been tapped to star opposite Liam Neeson in Casino Royale director Martin Campbell’s next action-thriller film Memory. Pearce and Bellucci are set to portray the roles of FBI Agent Vincent Serra and tech mogul Davana Sealman, respectively. Production on the upcoming English remake of the Belgian film The Memory of a Killer is currently underway in Bulgaria.
In addition, Harold Torres (ZeroZeroZero), Taj Atwal (Line of Duty) and Ray Fearon (Beauty and the Beast) have also joined the cast with Torres and Atwal set for the roles of Hugo Marquez and Linda Amistead.
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Memory centers around Neeson’s Alex Lewis, an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. When he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, he suddenly becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead.
Veteran FBI agents Vincent Serra, Linda Amistead, and Mexican intelligence liaison Hugo Marquez are brought in to investigate the trail of bodies, leading them closer to Alex, but also drawing the ire of local tech mogul Davana Sealman. With the crime syndicate and FBI in hot pursuit, Alex has the skills to stay ahead, except for one thing – he is struggling with severe memory loss, affecting his every move. As details blur and enemies close in, Alex must question his every action, and who he can ultimately trust.
The English remake will be directed by Martin Campbell from a screenplay adapted by Dario Scardapane. It will be executive produced by Black Bear Pictures’ Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler and Ben Stillman along with Peter Bouckaert and Rudy Durand. Rupert Maconick, Arthur Sarkissian and Welle Entertainment’s Cathy Schulman are set as producers. STXinternational will be handling international sales for the film.
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The original film The Memory of a Killer was also called The Alzheimer Case which was based on the novel by Belgian writer Jef Geeraerts. It was directed by Erik Van Looy and starred Jan Decleir and Koen De Bouw, who played the roles of Angelo Ledda and Det. Eric Vincke. The original followed the story of retired hitman Angelo Ledda, who agreed to one last killing despite learning that he has developed an Alzheimer’s disease. When he refuses to kill his second target, his employer sent another hitman to finish the job and to also kill him. In his attempt to seek revenge against his employer, he must battle through his worsening Alzheimer’s condition and the police.
