American Assassin Redux
I made this!
A few weeks ago, I got involved with The Redux Project. It's the vision of one guy, Richard DeDomenici, with the goal of visiting various publicly accessible film sites, and recreating scenes shot-for-shot on a shoestring budget.
My marmite hometown of Croydon has been the setting for various Hollywood blockbusters, including The Dark Knight Rises, Criminal, 28 Days Later (not much dressing required), and American Assassin. It was the latter that was chosen to be the focus for this redux.
Standing around St George's Walk for five hours might not seem like anyone's idea of fun, but it was actually a great experience, and the result is fantastic. I'd recommend everyone to keep an eye on the project and get involved if one crops up near you.
Top frame is the actual scene, bottom is our recreation.
More info at thereduxproject.tumblr.com/
Fun fact: An episode of Black Mirror was scheduled to be filmed in the exact same place a few days later, and some of the set had already been constructed, hence the 80s style WH Smiths shopfront.
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JimmerUK Everyone's Favourite Jim, Mon 21 May 2018, 16:35,
Reply)
That was really cool. Never seen that film, maybe want to see it now.
Not quite sure why you had the assassin doing a David Miliband impression though.
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Prufrock Lucifer, son of the morning!, Mon 21 May 2018, 17:01,
Reply)
Mmmm. It's an ok film.
V short on either milliband too now you mention it.
(, Mon 21 May 2018, 20:10, Reply)
The banana?
Bit risky waving a replica pistol around in Croydon.
I haven't seen the movie myself yet. It's meant to be ok, but not great.
Funnily enough, Richard more often than not gets better reviews than the movies he's reduxing.
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JimmerUK Everyone's Favourite Jim, Mon 21 May 2018, 21:03,
Reply)
I the 80s WH Smith still dressed for Black Mirror
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The Ann Coulter Fan Club Babylon is burning at, Mon 21 May 2018, 19:48,
Reply)
Yep, it's a nice little easter egg. Plus, the retro colour scheme matches the real scene quite nicely.
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JimmerUK Everyone's Favourite Jim, Mon 21 May 2018, 20:58,
Reply)
Also, I do admire your dedication
to the utterly, stupidly and insanely pointless - done with skill, energy and enthusiasm. And in Croydon too.
I'll be looking out for more of these.
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The Ann Coulter Fan Club Babylon is burning at, Mon 21 May 2018, 22:07,
Reply)
Just to clarify...
I was merely a tool in this utterly pointless, yet amazing exercise. Richard is the visionary, I suggest you follow him on Twitter, @dedomenici.
Also, check out some of his others, I can recommend The Matrix, shot in Sydney, and Superman IV The Quest for Peace, shot in Milton Keynes.
His next big one is ambitious, recreating Atonement on Redcar Beach!
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JimmerUK Everyone's Favourite Jim, Mon 21 May 2018, 22:40,
Reply)
I just admire you for staying in Croydon for longer than it takes to change train
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The_cold_stare Coming here only when very, very bored, Mon 21 May 2018, 22:43,
Reply)
My house is here.
So I kind of have to hang around.
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JimmerUK Everyone's Favourite Jim, Tue 22 May 2018, 10:29,
Reply)
So let me get this straight...
... film director said "I need a location that looks like a third world shithole" and someone said "OOh, Croydon's perfect for that."
(, Tue 22 May 2018, 7:22, Reply)