Lord Of War
September 30, 2005
Running Time: 112 min
Director: Andrew Niccol
Screenwriter: Mike Figgis
Studio: Lumière Pictures presents a Lila Cazes production
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis, Steven Weber, Valeria Golino, Laurie Metcalf, Vincent Ward, Danny Huston, Bob Rafelson, Mark Coppola, Carey Lowell, Julian Lennon, Lou Rawls
New on DVD
January 20, 2006
LORD OF WAR (R). Nicolas Cage stars as a globe-trotting arms trafficker with a lucrative talent for looking the other way. Andrew Niccol's darkly comic drama operates with a smart mouth and with a heavy hand. With Ethan Hawke. 2:00 (strong violence, drug use, language, sexuality).
Lord of War' shoots to the top
September 29, 2005
Surprisingly, "Lord of War," starring Nicolas Cage, is not your typical shoot-em-up action flick. Technically a dark comedy, it comes off more as a tragedy with some dark humor scattered throughout. Yuri Orlov (Cage) is an Eastern European immigrant who wants two things in life: Lots of money and the girl of his dreams (Bridget Moynahan.) After witnessing an attempted mob hit in a neighborhood restaurant, he realizes the arms trade could be the doorway to his dreams. He goes into the firearms business with his brother Vitaly (Jared Leto). The film depicts their simultaneous rapid rise to fortune and the trade's ever-increasing toll on their souls. The movie's plot is a bit disconnected but succeeds because of its various moments of brilliance.
The most memorable is the opening sequence, which follows the life of a bullet from its birth in the factory to its final resting place. This imagery, set to the 60's social-conscience anthem "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield, shows that murder is manufactured in many areas of the world. In a reprisal of his role as the good cop in "Training Day," Ethan Hawke plays the hero of the movie - a straight-laced Interpol agent who tracks Yuri's every move. None of the characters are as cruelly unforgettable as Liberian president and warlord Andre Baptiste (Eamonn Walker). Taking pleasure in his illusion of total power, he is reminiscent of Ralph Fiennes' psychotic Nazi in "Schindler's List." After shooting a young soldier in the head to test a gun, he explains, "Kids today don't listen. I blame the MTV." It's one of the many moments in the film that cause some to gasp, some to laugh and others to grunt in cynical understanding.
With violence, harsh language, drug use, partial nudity and adult subject matter, this is not a movie for children. Some critics have decried the nihilistic views of many of the main characters. But like in the best dark comedies, the camera takes a harsh look at those who deserve it. Thumbs up.
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"Lord of War": Revealing, but as blunt as they come
GARTH STEAD / LIONS GATE FILMS
Wily arms dealer Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) schemes his way to the top of his profession in "Lord of War." As message films go, "Lord of War" is as blunt as they come.
From an opening salvo in which we follow the path of a bullet from its factory origins to a final destination piercing the forehead of an African soldier - all set against Buffalo Springfield's classic anti-violence song "For What It's Worth" - the film registers zero on the subtlety meter. But it also reveals something about the real world few of us know. There are individuals, freelance weapons dealers, who reap enormous profits arming renegade governments, drug cartels, bloodthirsty dictators and genocidal armies. "Lord of War" is a thinly disguised representation of writer-director Andrew Niccol's research into contemporary gunrunning. Nicolas Cage is enormously, paradoxically likable as a genuine monster, Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian emigrant from New York City's Little Odessa neighborhood. (The Orlov family pretended to be Jewish to speed emigration to the U.S., a lesson not lost on Yuri when he later acquires passports from different countries to sell weapons globally.)
Yuri's vision of the American Dream includes vast wealth and winning the hand of a local beauty, Ava (Bridget Moynahan). He tries including his ne'er-do-well brother, Vitali (Jared Leto), in his plans to sell arms around the world. But it isn't long before Vitali's weakness for drugs, and possibly a stricken conscience, make him a liability. Through sheer determination, Yuri develops an international clientele, many in West Africa (Eamonn Walker is particularly good playing a Liberian warlord causing great misery), while acquiring all manner of arms, including stockpiles of stolen Soviet weapons. In the process, he repeatedly crushes business for an older competitor (Ian Holm) and outmaneuvers a determined Interpol agent (Ethan Hawke).
Movie review
"Lord of War," with Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Ian Holm, Bridget Moynahan, Eamonn Walker and Ethan Hawke. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol. 122 minutes. Rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language. Several theaters. Yuri also develops a pathological ability to separate his business from responsibility for the deaths it causes. "It's not our fight," he tells Vitali. "We didn't pull the trigger." Much of Yuri's story runs parallel to actual events since 1990 and makes him more compelling as an emblem rather than a fully realized character. Niccol, the New Zealand-born filmmaker who wrote "The Truman Show," is mostly interested in arriving at a crucial question: At what point does a man like Yuri lose his soul? Produced inexpensively by Hollywood standards, "Lord of War" makes great use of dazzling locations - captured with feverish intensity by cinematographer Amir Mokri ("The Joy Luck Club") - and actual weapons (including 100 T-72 Soviet tanks) Niccol borrowed from real-life, black-market arms dealers.
There's a twist toward the end of the film, emerging in dialogue between Yuri and Hawke's character, that Niccol says is based on an actual incident. (No spoiler here.) It makes one wonder what chance we have in a world where the line between right and wrong disappears easily.
Source
CAGE LOST WEIGHT FOR MOVIE
8-10-05
NICOLAS CAGE's new co-star has hit out at rumors his recent weight loss is a cause for concern. Recent photos of the actor showed him looking frail and gaunt - but EAMMON WALKER, Cage's co-star in new movie LORD OF WAR, insists Cage is simply getting ready for his role as an arms dealer in the action film.
Walker says, "You get your body fit and ready to do what you need to do. It's the thing you do when you have any project. "When you're in front of the camera, people are always looking at you, but he's got a body of iron underneath there."
Source
Lions Gate Acquires "Lord of War"
from Lions Gate Films
7-28-05
Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke Star in "Lord of War" SANTA MONICA, CA, April 28, 2005 - Lions Gate Films has acquired all North American distribution rights to the riveting action thriller "LORD OF WAR," written and directed by Academy Award nominee Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan and Ethan Hawke, it was announced today by Jon Feltheimer, Chief Executive Officer of Lions Gate Entertainment. "Andrew has crafted a powerful and provocative film torn from today's headlines, giving audiences a chilling insider's look into the international world of gunrunning," said Feltheimer. "'LORD OF WAR' does for weapons smuggling what BLOW did for drug smuggling. 'LORD OF WAR' is a trademark Lions Gate movie -- controversial, compelling and enormously entertaining, all at the same time."
"'LORD OF WAR' is a provocative and timely edge-of-your-seat thriller that will appeal to a broad audience," said Tom Ortenberg, President, Lions Gate Films Releasing. "We are delighted to distribute the work of such a revolutionary filmmaker and talented ensemble cast, and we are looking forward to working closely with filmmakers Andrew Niccol and Nicolas Cage to maximize the film's obvious commercial appeal. At a time when the potential of arms smuggling has raised the stakes to new highs, 'LORD OF WAR' is as chilling as it is thrilling." "Lions Gate Films has proven their ability to take controversial, button-pushing material and make it part of the national conversation," said Cage.
Niccol is the visionary and avant-garde filmmaker who wrote and directed such prophetic films as GATTACA and SIMONE and was nominated for an Academy Award for his original screenplay for "THE TRUMAN SHOW." Other writing credits include "THE TERMINAL." "LORD OF WAR," which is currently in post production, is the story of an arms dealer (Cage) who reevaluates the morality of his occupation while on the run from an Interpol agent (Hawke). The film was financed by Philippe Rousselet and Andrew Niccol's company Entertainment Manufacturing Company alongside the German fund VIP. Foreign sales are being handled through Archlight. It was produced by Niccol, Rousselet, Cage, Norm Golightly, Andreas Grosch, and Chris Roberts. Lions Gate Films will distribute the film nationwide.
Source
Nic Cage..
4-30-05
Riding high on his recent appointment by movie fans as a "National Treasure," Nicolas Cage will be going from charismatic adventurer to morality-laden arms dealer. Lions Gate Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to "Lord of War," a timely drama that hopes to do for weapons what "Blow" did for drug smuggling. Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Andrew Niccol ("The Truman Show"), the movie puts Cage alongside Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan and Ethan Hawke. "Lord" follows Cage's Yuri Orlov, an arms dealer who reevaluates the ethics of his occupation while attempting to evade an Interpol agent, played by Hawke. The film, currently in post-production, is aiming for a late-2005 release.
Source
Lord' Reigns at Lions Gate Films
4-28-05
Premier Independent Studio Acquires North American Rights to Andrew Niccol's Thriller LORD OF WAR, Starring Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage and Academy Award Nominee Ethan Hawke. SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 28 /CNW/ -- Lions Gate Films, the motion picture acquisition, production and distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE; LGF; TSX), has acquired all North American distribution rights to the riveting action thriller LORD OF WAR, written and directed by Academy Award nominee Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan and Ethan Hawke, it was announced today by Jon Feltheimer, Chief Executive Officer of Lions Gate Entertainment. "Andrew has crafted a powerful and provocative film torn from today's headlines, giving audiences a chilling insider's look into the international world of gunrunning," said Feltheimer. "LORD OF WAR does for weapons smuggling what BLOW did for drug smuggling. LORD OF WAR is a trademark Lions Gate movie -- controversial, compelling and enormously entertaining, all at the same time."
"'LORD OF WAR' is a provocative and timely edge-of-your-seat thriller that will appeal to a broad audience," said Tom Ortenberg, President, Lions Gate Films Releasing. "We are delighted to distribute the work of such a revolutionary filmmaker and talented ensemble cast, and we are looking forward to working closely with filmmakers Andrew Niccol and Nicolas Cage to maximize the film's obvious commercial appeal. At a time when the potential of arms smuggling has raised the stakes to new highs, LORD OF WAR is as chilling as it is thrilling." "Lions Gate Films has proven their ability to take controversial, button- pushing material and make it part of the national conversation," said Cage. Niccol is the visionary and avant-garde filmmaker who wrote and directed such prophetic films as GATTACA and SIMONE and was nominated for an Academy Award for his original screenplay for THE TRUMAN SHOW. Other writing credits include THE TERMINAL.
LORD OF WAR, which is currently in post production, is the story of an arms dealer (Cage) who reevaluates the morality of his occupation while on the run from an Interpol agent (Hawke). The film was financed by Philippe Rousselet and Andrew Niccol's company Entertainment Manufacturing Company alongside the German fund VIP. Foreign sales are being handled through Archlight. It was produced by Niccol, Rousselet, Cage, Norm Golightly, Andreas Grosch, and Chris Roberts. Lions Gate Films will distribute the film nationwide. Lions Gate Entertainment's Peter Block, President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Jason Constantine, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions, and Ortenberg negotiated the acquisition on behalf of Lions Gate Films and Rousselet of Entertainment Manufacturing Company and Manny Nunez of Creative Artists Agency negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers and financers.
Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of approximately 8000 titles is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
Source
Nalu Tripician, is cast as Nicolas Cage's son in "Lord of War...."
2-6-05
Source
Rousselet rustles up 'War' coin
11-28-04
With American soldiers poised to go to war in Iraq (news - web sites), it wasn't the perfect time to be pitching a movie about an arms dealer.
Which is why Andrew Niccol's "Lord of War" was tossed around Hollywood like a hot potato until eventually landing on the desk of a Gallic film producer. Philippe Rousselet, who had never produced an American film before, jumped at the chance to team with the "Truman Show" scribe and helmer of "Gattaca." "With the way things are in the U.S., it isn't easy for a studio to commit to a 'Scarface' or 'Goodfellas'-style film about the world of arms dealing," says Rousselet. "Look at the fuss there was over 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' It's a question of timing."
The pic, which stars Nicolas Cage (news) as an international arms dealer and Ethan Hawke (news) as an Interpol agent trailing him, recently finished shooting and is now in post-production. Film has already drawn attention due to the way Rousselet drummed up $50 million to finance it -- without the aid of a Hollywood studio. Presales by Arclight brought in nearly $30 million, while the remainder is a combination of coin from German tax fund VIP3 via L.A. based Ascendant Pictures; bank debt via Citibank West in association with Endgame; and other equity as well as Rousselet's own money for bridging purposes. "Since 'Lord of War,' I've been inundated with American projects," says Rousselet, whose dad is Canal Plus founder Andre Rousselet. "Things happen quickly in the U.S. Once you've successfully financed a $50 million film, it means you could do it again."
"Lord of War" hasn't got a U.S. distribution deal yet, but Rousselet thinks the arms-dealing subject matter is unique enough to interest American auds. He and Niccol created Entertainment Manufacturing Co. to produce "Lord of War," and they are already planning Niccol's next pic, "Manhattan Brave," which they plan to shoot in New York and Canada next year. Rousselet pitches it as "a coming-of-age love story about a young man who's one-quarter native American." Company aims to make two or three American films a year and is in talks with possible financiers to create a fund to finance 10-12 pics. Back in Gaul, Rousselet's French company Les Films de la Suane continues to carve a niche for itself. The company has produced eight movies, ranging from James Huth's comedy "Serial Lover" to the flop actioner "Blanche" to "The Little Chinese Seamstress."
To free himself up for the American films he wants to make, Rousselet recently brought in Etienne Comar to executive produce the French slate. There are two movies in production, the x5 million ($6.5 million) Alain Chabat starrer "Papa," helmed by Maurice Barthelemy, and "The Godfathers," a $15.6 million comedy starring Gerard Lanvin, Gerard Darmon and Jacques Villeret, helmed by Frederic Forestier. Two more are planned for next year, "The Next Day," penned by "Podium" scribe Olivier Dazan, described by Rousselet as a French "Groundhog Day (news - web sites)," and the $17 million "The Concert," an English-language farce starring Jonathan Pryce and Pete Postlethwaite, which will be helmed by Radu Mihaileanu.
Australian Arclight starts shooting US$50M Lord of War
9-6-04
Principal photography is underway in New York and Cape Town on one of the biggest independent feature films being made at the moment, the $US50M Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage.
Following two weeks in New York the cast and crew re-locate to South Africa this weekend on the controversial $US50M action thriller which also features Ethan Hawke.
Sold in virtually every territory in the world by International Sales Agent, Arclight Films, Managing Director of Arclight Films Gary Hamilton, who is also an Executive Producer of Lord of War said: 'It was a mammoth undertaking to be involved in the financing of this $50m blockbuster, which is a controversial and amazing film destined to be one of the most talked about from mid 2005.'
Among the major distributors are Momentum in the UK, Gaga in Japan, France’s M6, MGM-UA in Germany, Columbia Tri-Star for Spain, Italian International Film in Italy, Scanbox in Scandinavia, and Hoyts/MGM-UA for Australia.
The film is produced by Philippe Rousselet and written and directed by Andrew Niccol, Oscar nominated writer of The Truman Show, and writer and director of Gattaca and Simone. Niccol also wrote the screenplay for the upcoming Spielberg directed Terminal.
Niccol based the screenplay on fact, with the lead character played by Nicolas Cage a composite of several actual gunrunners.
The film explores a little-known consequence of the end of the Cold War — the enormous quantity of arms that suddenly became available for sale by former Soviet states to developing countries (especially in Africa) and the vast sums of money made by the arms dealers who sold them; many believe it is the greatest heist of the 20th century.
Niccol states '..the most disturbing thing about Yuri Orlov is how much we like him and how much of him we see in ourselves. Watching Yuri should be a guilty pleasure.'
Additional cast includes Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan and Ian Holm.
Lord of War is an international co-production between Philippe Rousselet, who is partnered with Andrew Niccol in newly formed EMC (Entertainment Manufacturing Company), Ascendant Pictures (Chris Roberts and Chris Eberts) in association with VIP3 Medienfonds (Andreas Schmid and Andreas Grosch), Saturn Films (Nicolas Cage and Norm Golightly) in association with Endgame Entertainment.
The plot thickens around Cage film shoot
Melanie Peters August 21 2004
Hollywood mega-star Nicolas Cage is in Cape Town for his latest role in the movie Lord Of War. But the local film industry is being very "cagey" about the shoot as they don't want to divulge too much and upset any of the cast.
The Oscar winner is not the only Hollywood star in the Mother City for film shoots this month. Sean Penn and his wife Robin are also on their way to film The Last Face.
Cage plays a Russian arms dealer on the run from an Interpol agent, played by Ethan Hawke, in the R273-million movie being filmed on the Foreshore. It was written, and will be directed by, Andrew Niccol who was nominated for an Oscar for writing the screenplay for The Truman Show.
In the past week, a number of marquees have been erected and caravans parked in an open area of the Foreshore close to the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Motorists driving past have slowed down, at times causing traffic jams, trying to sneak a glimpse of the action. Filming started at the beginning of August in New York. Another part of the movie will be shot in Prague.
Cage is also one of the producers of the film which also stars Monica Bellucci, Jared Leto and Donald Sutherland.
Shane Bunce, one of the owners of Cape Town production company Reel Eyes, said this was one of the bigger film production contracts landed by a Cape Town company.
Filming had started recently and Cage was on set almost every day.
"There is not much I can say. It's still early days, but we don't need unnecessary tension.
"We don't want anything to go wrong and we have to adhere to the strict confidentiality clause in the contract we signed," Bunce said.
A Cape Town Film Commission spokesperson said this was one of the bigger movies being shot in the city.
"The first couple of weeks are extremely sensitive. We don't want to upset any of the actors. We don't want to piss anyone off. If something went wrong they could easily pack up and leave and continue shooting somewhere else," she said.
Cage starred in Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Matchstick Men, Adaptation, Con Air, The Rock and Leaving Las Vegas, among many others.
Filming Of LOW Pics
Thanks to admiremycage.com
   
  
Blurb on LOW
8-12-04
Serendipitous for Cape Town too. Long a favorite location for fashion shoots and advertising stills, the city is also catching on with major film producers. After Towne wraps up his last scene, "Lord of War," a production about a global arms dealer played by Nicolas Cage, will begin filming this month. In it, Cape Town will pose as 57 different settings in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Sierra Leon and elsewhere.
"Suddenly we are seeing the presence of much bigger stars, much bigger budgets, bigger productions and hopefully much wider distribution and higher profile for the South African production industry," said Martin Cuff, the articulate 37-year-old head of the Cape Film Commission. "Honestly, until about two years ago, it was quite B-list."
Source
New Pic from Lord Of War
8-5-04
Nicolas Cage ties the knot playing the part of the groom with Bridget Moynahan on the Brooklyn set of Lord of War. Real-life new wife Alice Kim, whom he married last Friday, joined him off-camera for the shoot.
Thanks Renee for the tip.
News
7-23-04
Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke will headline the action drama Lord of War. The New York shoot is skedded for Aug. 2-12. Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) directs the story of an arms dealer (Cage) who is chased by an Interpol agent. Principals.
New LOW Poster
Thanks Renee for the update on the new poster - SWEET!!
 Bridget Moynahan will be in Lord of War with Nicolas Cage...
7-11-04
Her biggest break was in 1998 playing Chris Noth's wife on HBO's "Sex and the City." Soon, she'll star opposite Nicolas Cage in a movie called "The Lord of War."
Source
LOW Update
7-12-04
In Pre Production -Principal photography starts July 14, 2004.
Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke...
6-28-04
have been announced for the action drama Lord of War. The New York shoot goes Aug. 2-12. Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) directs the story of an arms dealer (Cage) who is chased by an Interpol agent. Principals: No further casting at this time. Background: Kee Casting (424 Park Ave. South, NYC 10016).
Source
LOW Update and new poster
5-19-04
 May 13, 2004 ? Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan, Jeffrey Wright and Donald Sutherland will star opposite Nicolas Cage and Monica Bellucci in writer/director Andrew Niccol's $42 million "Lord of War." The film will begin shooting on July 19 in New York, Romania and South Africa.
Source
New Poster out - Looks great!!! Click on image to see larger pic.
Source
May 13, 2004
Lord of War: According to Variety, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan, Jeffrey Wright and Donald Sutherland have inked to appear opposite Nicolas Cage in writer-director Andrew Niccol's $42 million Lord of War.
The film starts shooting July 19 in New York, Romania and South Africa. Niccol, who scripted The Terminal and The Truman Show and wrote and directed Gattaca and Simone, has penned a drama that casts Cage as a ruthless global arms dealer trying to stay a step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent (Hawke).
Lord Of War Poster
4-1-04
 After escaping the USSR for the land of opportunity, young hustler YURI (Nicolas Cage) seizes the opportunity to make a buck by selling a key to the UN armory and realizing his calling as an arms dealer. Driven by the lure of easy money and the heady cocktail of glamour and danger, Yuri and his brother VITALY claw their way up through the world of international arms dealing, all the while staying one step ahead of the law, ruthless competitors and treacherous clients by wit and cunning. With private jets and a beauty queen at his side, Yuri savors the high life in the fast lane, even after being forced to kill in cold blood and learning the brutal personal cost of his profession. But when Vitaly encounters the innocent victims of their unholy trade and is killed making a moral stand, Yuri's world begins to cave in...
Source and Poster
Ethan Hawke Joining LOW
3-3-04
Ethan Hawke will be joining the cast and shooting in slated to begin this June.
Source
Nic Cage Is The Lord Of War
2-13-04
 Cage and Bellucci to star in arms dealer drama 13 February 2004 Nicolas Cage is poised to sign on as an arms dealer in Abdrew Niccol's Lord of War, with Monica Bellucci along for the ride. Cage will play a ruthless purveyor of guns 'n' ammo trying to stay one step ahead of interpol agents hot on his trail . Bellucci would play his conscience-stricken wife in the film, set to shoot in South Africa, Germany and New York.
Cage has a busy year or two ahead of him. After taking fairly low-key roles in 2003, he is due to appear in six films over the next couple of years. He has already completed shooting on National Treasure, the story of a man on the verge of finding a long-lost treasure that his family has hunted for generations. After that, he’s linked with Gore Verbinski's The Weather Man, cult comic book adaptation Ghost Rider with Mark Stephen Johnson, Land of Destiny with old collaborator John Woo and Painkillers, a sci-fi drama with David Cronenberg.
Source - Thanks Lindsey!
Update thanks Paivi!
2-9-04
A little synopsis of the article: Monica Bellucci playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Lords of War, a thriller by Andrew Niccol. Nic is playing a dealer of arms whose concious comes knocking. He is used to treason and dodging bullets, but now he faces a serious problem with his concious. It is not easy to leave behind the life of luxury, though, and he has enemies who are only waiting for their moment... Keanu Reeves and Bruce Willis were offered the part first, but now Nicolas is cast in it. The role of Monica Bellucci is not yet determined. The shooting should begin in a few weeks in South Africa.
Source - allocine.fr
Lord Of War Update:
1-26-04
inSCRIPTions Screenplay Review: "Lord of War" Filmjerk.com - 1 hour ago ... the film's director. Nicolas Cage and Monica Bellucci will star, with filming expected to begin early this year in South Africa.
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Lords Of War Update
1-18-04
The script is an episodic, postcard layout of the gunrunner life. We see Yuri make his way up the food chain, narrowly avoid arrest in wily ways and blithely witness the carnage his product aids. Yuri may ramble on and on in voice-over, but he never really lets us inside. He is a shallow man in a dent-deep story that doesn’t have much to say. Along the way Yuri gets paid in cocaine and his brother, without preamble, becomes a raving addict. He’s cut from the team and put in rehab (which never quite works). Yuri falls instantly in love with a Miss World winner named Ava Cordova. He fakes his way into her heart by renting out an entire resort hotel and wooing her with his money. They get together, marry, and have a kid. Yuri is given an archvillain, Interpol agent Valentine, who seems to always be nipping at Yuri’s heels. We’re supposed to believe that Ava never knew he dealt in guns, and that the only way for the good guys to bust him is by catching him in the act, when clearly they could have checked his finances (which he has no excuse for) or had someone testify against him.
It’s clear that Niccol did not have his heart in this project. He’s apparently going forward with it, with Nicolas Cage and Monica Bellucci starring, but the script is a mess. Its biggest problem is that Niccol wants to present Yuri as a rakish, hip antihero whose criminal activities can be sympathized with. For most of the script Niccol is cracking jokes. What this guy does, though, is reprehensible. He’s the man selling guns to places like Monrovia, and his weapons are currently being used to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Not exactly someone you want to laugh along with. Not exactly someone it’s easy to like. After telling us Yuri is impervious to conscience, and showing us his disinterest when people are killed with his guns, and having Yuri talk about how it’s all about the money, Niccol makes Yuri flip out when a client of his kills one of his rivals in his presence. How can he dismiss the deaths of thousands happening a few feet from him, but go into a downward spiral because someone he despises, and tried to kill him, is murdered a few inches away?
Sourse Thanks Lindsy!
Lords of War Updated:
12-3-03
Ian has been in touch to advise that Connie Neilsen is in talks to star alongside Nicolas Cage in Lords of War.
Cage eyeing Lords Of War
Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage is being eyed for the lead in Andrew Niccol's new thriller Lords Of War
Check out pic and info > Source
Friday 7th November 2003:
Lords of War Update: Director Andrew Niccol is looking to sign up Nicolas Cage to star in Lords of War that he is planning on filming in South Africa next year. The movie follows an arms dealer (Cage) who schemes his way to the top of his profession only to face an enemy he never expected: his conscience. But it's not easy to leave behind a life of girls, guns and glamour, when no-one wants you to stop, not even your enemies.
Source
 Nicolas Cage trafficker of weapons Turnings , 07 November 2003 Nicolas Cage is had a presentiment of for incarner a trafficker of weapons having bad conscience in "Lords of war", a thriller signed Andrew Niccol. Timetable overloaded for Nicolas Cage . Turning currently National treasure under the direction of Jon Turtletaub and also attached to other projects like Ghost To wrinkle , The Weather man and Dead to rights , the American actor has just thrown his reserved on Lords of war , next full-length film of Andrew Niccol , the scenario writer of Welcome in Gattaca and Simone.
When traffic of weapons and problem of conscience do bad housework... Nicolas Cage will incarnera a trafficker of weapons there accustomed to dodge the balls and all forms of treason, which sees its rise in the world of the crime stopped by a big problem of conscience. But it will not be easy for him to leave a so luxurious life. And it will not be without counting on all its enemies who await it the turning... Turning should start at the beginning of the year 2004 in South Africa. Guillaume Martin with Weekly Production
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