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{{short description|2007 film by Xavier Gens}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Hitman | name = Hitman
| image = Hitman2 large.jpg | image = Hitman2 large.jpg
| alt = In the distance is a woman in a red dress. In the foreground is a bald man wearing a suit and red tie, holding a gun, pointed upwards
| caption = Promotional poster for the film
| caption = British theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = Chuck Gordon<br />Adrian Askariah<br />Daniel Alter<br />] | producer = {{Plainlist|
* Daniel Alter
* Adrian Askarieh
* ]
* ]
}}
| writer = ] | writer = ]
| screenplay =
| based on = {{Based on|'']''|]}}
| story =
| starring = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]
| based_on = {{Based on|'']''|]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* ]
* ]
}}
| narrator =
| music = ] | music = ]
| cinematography = Laurent Barès | cinematography = Laurent Barès
| editing = Carlo Rizzo<br />Antoine Vareille | editing = {{Plainlist|
* Carlo Rizzo
* Antoine Vareille
}}
| visual effect = Rodolphe Guglielmi
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
| distributor = ]<br />]
* ]
| released = {{Film date|2007|11|21|United States|2007|12|26|France}}
* Anka Film
| runtime = 94 minutes
* Daybreak Productions
| country = France<br />United States<br />Turkey<br />Bulgaria
* ]
| language = English<br />]
* Prime Universe Productions
| budget = $24,000,000<ref>{{cite web|title=Hitman on the IMDb| url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465494/|publisher=]|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref>
* IO Interactive
| gross = $99,965,792<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hitman07.htm|title=Hitman - Box Office Mojo|publisher=]|accessdate=2012-11-30}}</ref>
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* ] (Worldwide)
* ] (France)
}}
| released = {{Film date|2007|11|21|United States|2007|11|30|United Kingdom|2007|12|26|France}}
| runtime = 92 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 92:36 --><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/hitman-film |title=''Hitman'' (15) |publisher=] |date=November 8, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2015 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306062506/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/hitman-film |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = {{Plainlist|
* France
* United States
* United Kingdom
}}
| language = {{Plainlist|
* English
* Russian
}}
| budget = $24 million<ref name="numbers" />
| gross = $101.3 million<ref name="bom" />
}} }}
'''''Hitman''''' is a 2007 action film directed by ] and based on the ]. The story revolves around ], a professional ]. He was raised from birth to be an assassin by the group known as "The Organization" and becomes ensnared in a political conspiracy. He finds himself pursued by both Interpol and the Russian military. The film stars ] and ]. ''Hitman'' was released on November 21, 2007. Though critically not well-received, it was a financial success.


'''''Hitman''''' is a 2007 ] directed by ] and produced by ], based on the ]. The film stars ] as ], a professional ] engineered to be an assassin by the Organization. He becomes ensnared in a political conspiracy and finds himself pursued by both Interpol and the ]. ] and ] star in supporting roles.
==Plot==
At an unknown location, a group of bald children are receiving tattoos of ]s and receiving training in firearms and hand-to-hand combat. In these scenes, it is shown that these boys are raised to be assassins and trained to kill.


An international co-production between France, the United States and the United Kingdom, ''Hitman'' was released by ] in the US on November 21, 2007, followed by the UK on November 30 and France on December 26. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot but praised Olyphant's performance. Despite this, the film was a box office success, grossing $101.3 million against a $24 million budget. A ] was canceled during the film's production due to its mostly negative reception, but the film was eventually followed by the reboot '']'' in 2015.
Years later, ] agent Mike Whittier (]) arrives at his house and discovers ] (]) in his study, where the two talk about 47's life as a professional hitman working for an unknown contractor known as ''The Organisation''. The movie unfolds as he tells the story.


==Plot==
Three months prior, 47 is completing a hit on a gang leader named Bwana Ovie (]) in ]. He is told by his Agency contact, Diana (]), to kill his next target, ] Mikhail Belicoff (]), publicly. He completes his mission as ordered, but before he can leave Russia he is contacted by his employers. They tell him that there is a witness to the assassination and order him to intercept her. When Agent 47 pulls his gun to shoot her on the street, he realizes she's never seen him before. He doesn't shoot her, but just misses being assassinated himself.
Inside a heavily guarded facility, a group of young boys are given tattoos of ] on the backs of their shaved heads and are then trained in weapons, demolitions, unarmed combat, stamina, and strength to become professionally trained ] who operate around the globe. In the present day, ] agent Mike Whittier arrives home and is met at gunpoint by ]. The two talk about 47's life as a professional hitman, raised and trained by a clandestine group known simply as the Organization.


Three months prior, 47 is completing a hit on a Nigerien warlord named Bwana Ovie. In a subsequent change of plans, 47 is told by his Organization handler, Diana Burnwood, that he is to kill his next target, ] Mikhail Belicoff, publicly instead of privately. Agent 47 completes his mission by shooting the man in the head, but before he can leave Russia, he is contacted by his superiors. He is mystified when told the hit was a failure and that Belicoff survived the attack on his life. The Organization notifies him of a witness to the assassination and orders him to intercept and kill her. However, when 47 realizes she has never seen him before, he does not shoot her; instead, he narrowly avoids an assassination attempt on himself by another agent and realizes he is being set up.
His employers reveal his location to agents of ], who make plans to intercept him. As he is about to be taken, Diana personally calls him to warn him. She tells him that Belicoff ordered the hit on himself. After a dramatic escape from the hotel, 47 intercepts Nika (]), the woman who supposedly witnessed his hit and Belicoff's mistress. He interrogates her about Belicoff and discovers that Belicoff had a ], who ordered the hit on the real Belicoff so that he could take his place as the president of Russia. 47 was to be killed after the hit to ensure total secrecy.


His employers send his location and identity to the ], but Diana secretly calls 47 and tips him off, revealing that Belicoff himself had ordered the hit. After escaping from his hotel, 47 intercepts Nika, Belicoff's mistress and the woman who supposedly witnessed his hit. He interrogates her and discovers that Belicoff had a ], who ordered the hit on the real Belicoff in order to take his place as the president of Russia. The Organization, hoping to gain influence with the new government, ordered 47 to kill Nika and then set him up to be erased and thus cover their tracks.
As Nika and 47 attempt to take a train further into the Russian interior, they are intercepted by more assassins from the Agency. 47 kills five of them before wounding Agent Whittier and his partner. Infuriated at yet another escape, the FSB and Agent Markov (]) order Interpol to leave the country immediately. In the meantime, 47 contacts Agent Smith (]) of the ]. He offers Smith a deal - he will kill Udre Belicoff (]), Mikhail's brother, in exchange for a favor from the CIA. Udre is an ] and slave trader whom both the CIA and FSB have wanted dead for some time. Agent Smith informs 47 that Udre had been planning something with a German arms dealer named Price. Intercepting him could lead 47 to Udre.


Nika and 47, attempting to leave Russia by train, are pursued by Organization agents, whom 47 subdues in hand to hand combat and kills. Whittier then attempts to arrest 47 himself, only to be easily overpowered. Nika persuades 47 to let Whittier go free, and Whittier is forced to leave Russia by FSB officer Yuri Marklov, who is overseeing the manhunt, for interfering. 47 contacts his associate, ] officer Carlton Smith, to offer him a deal: 47 will kill Udre Belicoff (Mikhail's brother and a wealthy arms dealer and human trafficker) in exchange for a favour. Smith informs 47 that Udre had been planning something with a German gunrunner named Price.
47 and Nika travel to ], where 47 abducts Price from a restaurant in order to pose as Price at a meeting with Udre. 47 later kills Udre and his henchmen, so Belicoff's double is forced to attend Udre's funeral. 47 kidnaps Agent Markov and forces him to have his own FSB agents try to shoot Belicoff's double as he delivers a eulogy for Udre. Disguised as a soldier, 47 manages to kill all of Belicoff's double's guards and takes him into the archbishop's chamber in the church. 47 instead kills him and then allows himself to be taken into custody by Interpol and Agent Whittier.


47 and Nika travel to ], where 47 abducts Price, poses as him to meet Udre at a club, and kills him, forcing Belicoff's double to attend Udre's public funeral. 47 kidnaps Marklov and forces him to order his own agents to disrupt the funeral and create a distraction while 47, disguised as a soldier, deals with the imposter's bodyguards and kills him before Whittier arrives with backup from Interpol to take him into custody. Smith delivers on his end of the deal and has his operatives intercept the convoy that is transporting 47 to the airport, allowing the hitman to escape.
At this point Agent Smith delivers on his end of the deal, having the agents under his command intercept the Interpol convoy that is transporting 47 to the airport, giving 47 the distraction necessary to escape. The scene then flashes forward to the conversation between Agent Whittier and 47 occurring at Agent Whittier's house. After wrapping up their conversation, 47 reveals the body of a dead Hitman. 47 suggests Agent Whittier go along with 47's plan, admitting that the body in his home is the real 47, implying that Whittier will not survive if he does not.


Nika is shown picking up an envelope from an undisclosed sender. Inside it, there are papers and a message saying that she now owns a vineyard (she had told 47 of her childhood dream of having one). Meanwhile, 47 is watching her from afar, through the scope of his sniper rifle. He then looks at the corpse of another ], lying close to him, and says, "I told you to leave her alone. You should have listened." He then turns back, and walks away. Back in Whittier's home, 47 threatens Whittier into notifying the police that he has killed (a fake) Agent 47. Nika is seen picking up an envelope containing the deed to a vineyard, a dream of hers to own. Agent 47 is watching her from afar, through the scope of a sniper rifle. Looking at the corpse of another agent lying at his feet, he muses that he had warned him (meaning the Organization) to leave her alone, and then walks away.


==Cast== ==Cast==
* ] as ]: An orphaned child, kidnapped and trained by the Organization to become an elite assassin. * ] as ]: An orphaned child, taken in and trained by the Organization to become a professionally trained, internationally operating ] for hire.
** Borislav Parvanov as young Agent 47 ** Borislav Parvanov as Young Agent 47
* ] as ]: An Interpol agent who has been tracking Agent 47 for quite some time and finally confronts his mysterious target. * ] as Mike Whittier: An ] agent who has been tracking Agent 47 for quite some time and finally confronts his mysterious target.
* ] as Yuri Marklov: Lead agent of an ] force. He joins in the chase to capture Agent 47.
* ] as ]: A woman who is swept into companionship with Agent 47 as events unfold.
* ] as Nika Boronina: Mikhail Belicoff's mistress who is swept into companionship with Agent 47 as events unfold.
* ] as ]: Lead agent of an ] force. He joins in the chase to capture Agent 47.
* ] as ]: The President of Russia. He is targeted by Agent 47 as a mark early on in the film. * ] as Mikhail Belicoff and his body double: The President of Russia. He is targeted by Agent 47 as a mark early on in the film.
* ] as ]: An international criminal wanted by the CIA and the FSB, while protected by his brother Mikhail Belicoff, who is President of Russia. * ] as Udre Belicoff: An international criminal wanted by the CIA and the FSB, while protected by his brother Mikhail Belicoff, who is President of Russia.
* ] as Jenkins: Whittier's right-hand man at Interpol.
* ] as ]: A ] agent who helps Agent 47 evade Interpol.
* ] as ]: An young woman who tries to seduce Agent 47 at the bar. * ] as Carlton Smith: A ] agent who helps Agent 47 evade Interpol.
* ] as Bwana Ovie
* ] as General Ajunwa
* Lisa Jacobs as Diana Burnwood
* ] as June: A young woman who tries to seduce Agent 47 at a bar.
* Susan White as Mia
* ] as ] Driver
* ] as HRT Guy
* ] as Female News Reporter


==Production== ==Production==
In February 2003, ''Hitman'' makers ] and ] entered negotiations with Hollywood production companies to adapt the video game to film.<ref>{{cite news | author=Brian Linder | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384928p1.html | title=Games to Film: ''Hitman'' | publisher=IGN | date=2003-02-03 | accessdate=2006-12-05 }}</ref> Twentieth Century Fox eventually acquired the rights and hired screenwriter ] to pen the screenplay, with actor ] executive producing and starring in the film.<ref>{{cite news | author=Dave McNary | coauthors=Ben Fritz | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117931358.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 | title=Woods to adapt 'Hitman' | publisher='']'' | date=2005-10-20 | accessdate=2006-12-05 }}</ref> In December 2006, Diesel stepped down from the role. In January 2007, ] was cast as the lead with director ] at the helm.<ref name="shoot">{{cite news | author=Nicole Laporte | coauthors=Michael Fleming | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957622.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 | title=Olyphant to shoot 'Hit Man' | publisher='']'' | date=2007-01-17 | accessdate=2006-01-18 }}</ref> In March, actor ] was cast as Agent 47's nemesis, with ], ], ], and Michael Offei also joining the cast. Production began the week of March 27, 2007 in ], ] and lasted 12 weeks.<ref>{{cite news | author=Ali Wood | url=http://www.instockmagazine.co.uk/cgi-bin/news.cgi?section=2&id=4300 | title= Filming starts on eidos movie | publisher=Instock | date=2007-04-05 | accessdate=2007-04-09 }}</ref> A ] also shot in locations including ], ], ], and ].<ref name="underway">{{cite news | author=20th Century Fox | url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20042 | title=''Hitman'' is Underway | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=2007-04-24 | accessdate=2007-04-24 }}</ref>


===Development===
The release of the film was set back a few months to allow for the reshooting of several scenes. These included a sword fight between 4 assassins in a train car, which replaced the original train platform sequence where ] fought only one assassin. Reports before the film's release confirmed that not only were reshoots were taking place, but that Fox had fired Gens and denied him final cut. ] was brought in at this stage to soften the edit and cut down material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/fox-yanks-hit-man-from-director-xavier-gens|title=Twitch - Fox Yanks HIT MAN From Director Xavier Gens<!-- Bot generated title -->|author=Todd Brown}}</ref>
In February 2003, ''Hitman'' makers ] and ] entered negotiations with Hollywood production companies to adapt the video game to film.<ref>{{cite web | author=Brian Linder | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384928p1.html | title=Games to Film: ''Hitman'' | website=IGN | date=2003-02-03 | access-date=2006-12-05 | archive-date=May 31, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531132603/http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384928p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ] eventually acquired the rights and hired screenwriter ] to pen the screenplay, with actor ] executive producing and starring in the film.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Dave McNary | author2=Ben Fritz | url=https://variety.com/2005/digital/markets-festivals/woods-to-adapt-hitman-1117931358/ | title=Woods to adapt 'Hitman' | magazine=] | date=2005-10-20 | access-date=2006-12-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212150006/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117931358.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 | archive-date=December 12, 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref>


===Casting===
47's origins were also changed at this stage. ] told an interviewer that whilst they are not directly dealing with the clone storyline, one scene (the original train station sequence) showing a bald, barcoded assassin (Jean-Marc Bellu) following Agent 47 (]), another bald, barcoded assassin, is very explicit and showed his intention to keep him as a clone.<ref>Xavier Gens and Timothy Olyphant discuss Hitman {{Dead link|date=September 2009}}</ref> The detail was likely changed to accommodate for the casting of actors of mixed races during reshoots, making it impossible for them to be clones (or at least clones of the same person).
In December 2006, Diesel stepped down from the role. In January 2007, Olyphant was cast as the lead with director ] at the helm.<ref name="shoot">{{cite magazine | author=Nicole Laporte | author2=Michael Fleming | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/olyphant-to-shoot-hit-man-1117957622/ | title=Olyphant to shoot 'Hit Man' | magazine=Variety | date=2007-01-17 | access-date=2006-01-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523104151/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957622.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 | archive-date=May 23, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref> In March, actor ] was cast as Agent 47's nemesis, with ], ], ], and Michael Offei also joining the cast.

===Filming===
] began the week of March 27, 2007 in ], ] and lasted 12 weeks.<ref>{{cite news | author=Ali Wood | url=http://www.instockmagazine.co.uk/cgi-bin/news.cgi?section=2&id=4300 | title=Filming starts on eidos movie | magazine=Instock | date=2007-04-05 | access-date=2007-04-09 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929063518/http://www.instockmagazine.co.uk/cgi-bin/news.cgi?section=2&id=4300 | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> A ] also shot in locations including ], ], ], and ].<ref name="underway">{{cite news | author=20th Century Fox | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20042 | title=''Hitman'' is Underway | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=2007-04-24 | access-date=2007-04-24 | archive-date=March 6, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306040442/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20042 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The release of the film was set back a few months to allow for the re-shooting of several scenes. These included a sword fight between four assassins in a train car, which replaced the original train platform sequence where ] fought only one assassin. Reports before the film's release confirmed that not only were reshoots taking place, but that Fox had fired Gens and denied him final cut. ] was brought in at this stage to soften the edit and cut down material.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/fox-yanks-hit-man-from-director-xavier-gens |title=Twitch - Fox Yanks ''Hit Man'' From Director Xavier Gens<!-- Bot generated title --> |author=Todd Brown |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121093005/http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/fox-yanks-hit-man-from-director-xavier-gens/ |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

47's origins were also changed at this stage, with a decision to add footage from the TV series '']'',<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010211841/http://www.pcgamer.com/saturday-crapshoot-hitman-the-movie/ |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/saturday-crapshoot-hitman-the-movie/ |title=Saturday Crapshoot: Hitman: The Movie |last=Cobbett |first=Richard |date=July 21, 2012 |work=] |access-date=October 31, 2015}}</ref> which was also owned by Fox, in an effort to save money. Gens told an interviewer that whilst they are not directly dealing with the clone storyline, one scene (the original train station sequence) showing a bald, barcoded assassin (Jean-Marc Bellu) following Agent 47 (Olyphant), another bald, barcoded assassin, is very explicit and showed his intention to keep him as a clone.<ref name=AboutEntertainment>{{cite web |last= Murray |first= Rebecca |title=Timothy Olyphant Gets Into Action with Hitman |url=http://movies.about.com/od/hitman/a/hitman111607.htm |publisher=] |access-date=4 June 2015 |date=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045104/http://movies.about.com/od/hitman/a/hitman111607.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The detail was likely changed to accommodate for the casting of actors of multiple races during reshoots, making it impossible for them to be clones (or at least clones of the same person).

] revealed she refused to have a ] for her sex scenes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olga Kurylenko loves stripping off |work=www.welt.de |date=February 11, 2013 |url=https://www.welt.de/english-news/article2622674/Olga-Kurylenko-loves-stripping-off.html |access-date=20 February 2022 |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220121942/https://www.welt.de/english-news/article2622674/Olga-Kurylenko-loves-stripping-off.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Release== ==Release==


===Box office=== ===Box office===
''Hitman'' was originally stated to be released on October 12, 2007 in the ] and ],<ref name="sights">{{cite news | author=Pamela McClintock | coauthors=Michael Fleming | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961860.html?categoryId=19&cs=1 | title=Actors set sights on 'Hitman' | publisher='']'' | date=2007-03-26 | accessdate=2007-03-27 }}</ref> but the film's release was postponed to November 21, 2007.<ref name="date">{{cite news | author=Stax | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/815/815745p1.html | title=Exclusive: Hitman's New Date | publisher=IGN | date=2007-08-25 | accessdate=2007-08-24 }}</ref> ''Hitman'' opened in 2,458 theaters in the United States and Canada, grossing $13,180,769 in its opening weekend, ranking fourth at the box office.<ref name="bom">{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hitman07.htm | title=Hitman (2007) | publisher=] | accessdate=2007-11-26 }}</ref> The following weekend, ''Hitman'' opened in 12 markets, having the following highlights: $150,355 in 38 theaters in ], $224,449 in 37 theaters in ]. and $244,329 in 32 theaters in the ]. In ], the film opened in fourth place with approximately $100,000. The film also performed weakly in ] with $19,321 in 6 theaters.<ref>{{cite news | author=Conor Bresnan | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2426&p=.htm | title=Around the World Roundup: 'Beowulf' Tops Another Modest Weekend | publisher=] | date=2007-11-29 | accessdate=2007-12-01 }}</ref> As of July 2, 2008, the film has grossed $39,687,694 in the United States and Canada and $60,245,563 in other territories for a worldwide total of $99,933,257, exceeding its estimated budget of $24,000,000.<ref name="bom" /><ref>{{IMDb title|465494|Hitman}}</ref> The DVD sales equal $27,858,148 in the US alone, putting the total gross for ''Hitman'' at around $128 million ], not counting television airing rights.<ref name="Movie Hitman - Box Office Data, News, Cast Information">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/HITMN.php|publisher=The Numbers|title=Movie Hitman - Box Office Data, News, Cast Information|accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref> ''Hitman'' was originally slated to be released on October 12, 2007, in the United States and ],<ref name="sights">{{cite magazine | author=Pamela McClintock | author2=Michael Fleming | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/features/actors-set-sights-on-hitman-1117961860/ | title=Actors set sights on 'Hitman' | magazine=Variety | date=2007-03-26 | access-date=2007-03-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211221723/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961860.html?categoryId=19&cs=1 | archive-date=December 11, 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> but the film's release was postponed to November 21, 2007.<ref name="date">{{cite web | author=Stax | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/815/815745p1.html | title=Exclusive: Hitman's New Date | website=IGN | date=2007-08-25 | access-date=2007-08-24 | archive-date=August 27, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110153/http://movies.ign.com/articles/815/815745p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Hitman'' opened in 2,458 theaters in the United States and Canada, grossing $13,180,769 in its opening weekend, ranking fourth at the box office.<ref name="bom">{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hitman07.htm | title=Hitman (2007) | website=] | access-date=2007-11-26 | archive-date=May 1, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501155423/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hitman07.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> The following weekend, ''Hitman'' opened in 12 markets, having the following highlights: $150,355 in 38 theaters in ], $224,449 in 37 theaters in ]. and $244,329 in 32 theaters in the ]. In ], the film opened in fourth place with approximately $100,000. The film also performed weakly in ] with $19,321 in 6 theaters.<ref>{{cite web | author=Conor Bresnan | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2426&p=.htm | title=Around the World Roundup: 'Beowulf' Tops Another Modest Weekend | website=] | date=2007-11-29 | access-date=2007-12-01 | archive-date=November 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112064011/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2426&p=.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> As of March 13, 2008, the film has grossed $39,687,694 in the United States and Canada and $60,278,098 in other territories for a worldwide total of $99,965,792, exceeding its estimated $24 million budget.<ref name="bom" /><ref>{{IMDb title|465494|Hitman}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}} The DVD sales equal $27,858,148 in the US alone, putting the total gross for ''Hitman'' at around $128 million, not counting television airing rights.<ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title= Hitman (2007) - Financial Information |url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hitman#tab=summary |website= ] |access-date= 2020-07-01 |archive-date= July 4, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200704203726/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hitman#tab=summary |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
On ] the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critics consensus reads, "''Hitman'' features the unfortunate combination of excessive violence, incoherent plot, and inane dialogue."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitman|title=Hitman (2007)|website=]|date=November 21, 2007 |publisher=]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309075946/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitman/|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On ], it has a ] of 35 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/hitman |title= Hitman (2007): Reviews |website= ] |access-date= 2020-07-04 |archive-date= July 27, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100727035104/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/hitman |url-status= live }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by ] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= ''Hitman'' (2007) B |work= ] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073531/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= February 6, 2018 }}</ref>


Critics found fault with several aspects of the film, including a weak and often confusing plot, dry acting, and extreme violence. ] notably gave it a positive, three-stars-out-of-four review, and said "''Hitman'' stands right on the threshold between video games and art. On the wrong side of the threshold, but still, give it credit".<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |last= Ebert |first= Roger |author-link= Roger Ebert |title= Hitman movie review & film summary (2007) |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hitman-2007 |website= ] |access-date= July 4, 2020 |archive-date= September 19, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200919230308/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hitman-2007 |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2008, '']'' listed the film on their list of top ten worst video game movies.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Top 10 Worst Video Game Movies | url=https://entertainment.time.com/2008/10/20/top-10-worst-video-game-movies/slide/house-of-the-dead-2003/ | magazine=] | date=2008-10-20 | access-date=2009-04-25 | archive-date=November 10, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110110654/http://entertainment.time.com/2008/10/20/top-10-worst-video-game-movies/slide/house-of-the-dead-2003/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
===Critical reception===
The film received generally negative reviews. The review aggregator website ] reported that 14% of critics gave the film a positive rating, based on 102&nbsp;reviews, with an ] score of 3.7/10.<ref name="RTfresh">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitman/|title=Hitman (2007)|publisher=]|accessdate=2014-01-05}}</ref> At the website ], which uses a ] rating system, the film earned an unfavorable rating of 35/100 based on 22&nbsp;reviews.<ref name="MetaCritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/hitman |title=Hitman (2007): Reviews|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref>


Despite ''Hitman''{{'}}s mostly negative reception, Slovenian philosopher and film theorist ] included the film in his personal list of 10 greatest films in a 2012 poll conducted by the '']'' magazine. Commenting on his picks, he said the list contains "only 'guilty pleasures{{'"}} and he made "no compromises for high quality or good taste".<ref name="Sight & Sound">{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/sightandsoundpolls/2012/voter/94 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820030130/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/sightandsoundpolls/2012/voter/94 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-20 |title=Slavoj Zizek - BFI|publisher=]|access-date=2015-08-19}}</ref>
Critics found fault with several aspects of the film, including a weak and often confusing plot, dry acting, and extreme violence. However, film critic ] notably gave it three stars out of four, saying "''Hitman'' stands right on the threshold between video games and art. On the wrong side of the threshold, but still, give it credit".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitman/?critic=creamcrop | title=Hitman (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=] | accessdate=2007-12-27 }}</ref> In 2008, '']'' listed the film on their list of top ten worst video game movies.<ref>{{cite news | title=Top 10 Worst Video Game Movies | url=http://entertainment.time.com/2008/10/20/top-10-worst-video-game-movies/slide/house-of-the-dead-2003/| work=] | publisher= | date= 2008-10-20| accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>


===Home video=== ===Home video===
An unrated version of ''Hitman'' was released in the high definition Blu-ray format on March 11, 2008, and features extras including deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a gag reel. This version also features a special ] of the film which can be transferred to a portable media device like an iPod.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=884 | title=Hitman Gets Unrated Blu-ray Release | accessdate=2008-01-26 }}</ref> A standard definition DVD was released on March 11 as well in three versions. A single disc theatrical version, a single disc unrated version, and an unrated special edition including many extras, and the digital copy mentioned above.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/news/1444 | title=Hitman US details! | accessdate=2008-01-26 }}</ref> The unrated DVD is one minute longer than the theatrical cut and includes a few extended scenes with more blood.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schnittberichte.com%2Fschnittbericht.php%3FID%3D4888&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 | title=Rated vs. Unrated DVD differences in Hitman | accessdate=2008-03-12 }}</ref> The UK version of the film was available on Blu-ray and DVD from 31 March 2008. An unrated version of ''Hitman'' was released in the high-definition Blu-ray format on March 11, 2008, and features extras including deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a gag reel. This version also features a special ] of the film which can be transferred to a portable media device like an iPod.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=884 | title=Hitman Gets Unrated Blu-ray Release | access-date=2008-01-26 | archive-date=February 3, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203130139/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=884 | url-status=live }}</ref> A standard-definition DVD was released on the same date in three versions. A single-disc theatrical version, a single-disc unrated version, and an unrated special edition including many extras, and the digital copy mentioned above.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/news/1444 | title=Hitman US details! | access-date=2008-01-26 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130002332/http://www.realmovienews.com/dvd/news/1444 | archive-date=January 30, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The unrated DVD is one minute longer than the theatrical cut and includes a few extended scenes with more blood.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schnittberichte.com%2Fschnittbericht.php%3FID%3D4888&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 | title=Rated vs. Unrated DVD differences in Hitman | access-date=2008-03-12 | archive-date=May 11, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511002654/https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schnittberichte.com%2Fschnittbericht.php%3FID%3D4888&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 | url-status=live }}</ref> The UK version of the film was available on Blu-ray and DVD from 31 March 2008.


The French Blu-ray version of the film came with 10 deleted scenes, accompanied with French audio commentary by Xavier Gens. Some of the scenes included are the original assassination, in which Ovie survives, is taken to hospital only to be killed via lethal injection by ] disguised as a doctor. The alternate train platform sequence which features no sword fight, as well as showing the older assassin biting off his tongue to avoid giving answers to 47, and an extended departure sequence between 47 and Nika, which shows Yuri and his men stopping their train and boarding it to look for 47. The French Blu-ray version of the film came with 10 deleted scenes, accompanied with French audio commentary by Xavier Gens. Some of the scenes included are the original assassination, in which Ovie survives, is taken to hospital only to be killed via lethal injection by ] disguised as a doctor; the alternate train platform sequence which features no sword fight, as well as showing the older assassin biting off his tongue to avoid giving answers to 47; and an extended departure sequence between 47 and Nika, which shows Yuri and his men stopping their train and boarding it to look for 47.


An alternate ending in the Special Features of the DVD show 47 watching Nika through his Sniper Scope as she opens the envelope. She then turns down a corner of a small street to be shot dead in a ], possibly by men loyal to the organization behind the fake Belicoff, all while 47 watches. An alternate ending in the special features of the DVD shows 47 watching Nika through his sniper scope as she opens the envelope. She then turns down a corner of a small street to be shot dead in a ], possibly by men loyal to the organization behind the fake Belicoff, all while 47 watches.


==Reboot==
==Canceled sequel and ''Agent 47'' reboot==
{{main|Hitman: Agent 47}}
IESB has confirmed that ] has hired writer Kyle Ward to pen the script for the sequel to ''Hitman''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7070&Itemid=99 |title=Whois Lookup |publisher=Iesb.net |date= |accessdate=2013-08-15}}</ref> Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter and Chuck Gordon will return as producers. American actor ], who died in October 2011, had been reported to have an as-yet-unnamed role. Daniel Benmayor has signed to direct the sequel. ] stated on the ] podcast that he had no interest in returning for a sequel and only did the original film in order to pay for his new house following the sudden cancellation of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.nerdist.com/2013/01/nerdist-podcast-timothy-olyphant/ |title=Nerdist Podcast: Timothy Olyphant « Nerdist |publisher=Nerdist.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-15}}</ref>
IESB had confirmed that ] hired writer Kyle Ward to pen the script for the sequel to ''Hitman''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7070&Itemid=99 |title=Whois Lookup |publisher=Iesb.net |access-date=2013-08-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331190554/http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7070&Itemid=99 |archive-date=March 31, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter and ] were to return as producers. American actor ], who died in October 2011, had been reported to have an as-yet-unnamed role. Daniel Benmayor had signed to direct the sequel. Olyphant stated on the ] podcast that he had no interest in returning for a sequel and only did the original film in order to pay for his new house following the sudden cancellation of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Levine, Katie|date=7 January 2013|url=http://www.nerdist.com/2013/01/nerdist-podcast-timothy-olyphant/|title=Nerdist Podcast: Timothy Olyphant « Nerdist|publisher=Nerdist.com|access-date=15 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523090223/http://www.nerdist.com/2013/01/nerdist-podcast-timothy-olyphant/|archive-date=May 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On February 5, 2013, it was reported that the film will be rebooted with the title of the film being ''Agent 47'', and would have starred ] as Agent 47 prior to his death on November 30, 2013, with ] director Aleksander Bach making his feature film debut helming the project. The screenplay was written by ] and Mike Finch. Shooting was expected to take place in ] and ] in summer 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/fox-reloading-hitman-with-paul-walker-as-bald-barcoded-assassin-agent-47/ |title=Fox Reloading 'Hitman' With Paul Walker As Bald Barcoded Assassin Agent 47 |publisher=Deadline.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/paul-walker-hitman-reboot/ |title=Paul Walker Stars as AGENT 47 in HITMAN Reboot |publisher=Collider |date=2013-08-11 |accessdate=2013-08-15}}</ref> On January 9, 2014, actor ] is in talks to replace Walker as the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/homeland-actor-rupert-friend-talks-669664|title='Homeland' Actor Rupert Friend in Talks to Replace Paul Walker in 'Agent 47'|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=9 January 2014}}</ref> On February 5, 2013, it was reported that the film would be rebooted with the title of the film being '']'', and would have starred ] as Agent 47 prior to his death on November 30, 2013, with commercials director ] making his feature film debut helming the project. The screenplay was written by ] and Mike Finch. Shooting was expected to take place in ] and ] in summer 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2013/02/fox-reloading-hitman-with-paul-walker-as-bald-barcoded-assassin-agent-47-422594/ |title=Fox Reloading 'Hitman' With Paul Walker As Bald Barcoded Assassin Agent 47 |magazine=] |access-date=2013-08-15 |archive-date=April 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410235310/http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/fox-reloading-hitman-with-paul-walker-as-bald-barcoded-assassin-agent-47/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/paul-walker-hitman-reboot/ |title=Paul Walker Stars as Agent 47 in ''Hitman'' Reboot |website=Collider |date=2013-08-11 |access-date=2013-08-15 |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223192250/https://collider.com/paul-walker-hitman-reboot/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 9, 2014, actor ] was in talks to replace Walker as the character.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/homeland-actor-rupert-friend-talks-669664|title='Homeland' Actor Rupert Friend in Talks to Replace Paul Walker in 'Agent 47'|magazine=]|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=9 January 2014|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112040501/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/homeland-actor-rupert-friend-talks-669664|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 31, 2014, actor ] was cast in an unnamed role.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2014/01/zachary-quinto-agent-47-casting-fox-international-674703/|title=Zachary Quinto In 'Agent 47′ For Fox Int'l|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=July 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707100651/http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/zachary-quinto-agent-47-casting-fox-international/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 6, 2014, actress ] was cast in the female lead role.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/hannah-ware-agent-47-hitman-1201088128/|title=Hannah Ware Lands Female Lead in 'Agent 47,' Based on 'Hitman' Videogame|magazine=Variety|access-date=December 8, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205230101/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/hannah-ware-agent-47-hitman-1201088128/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 19, 2014, production on film began filming with Friend as Agent 47.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2014/02/19/exclusive-first-look-at-rupert-friend-as-agent-47-in-the-hitman-sequel|title=Exclusive First Look at Rupert Friend as Agent 47 in the Hitman Sequel|first=Jim|last=Vejvoda|date=February 18, 2014|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324064015/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/19/exclusive-first-look-at-rupert-friend-as-agent-47-in-the-hitman-sequel|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was theatrically released in the ] on August 21, 2015 and was panned by critics, even further than the original film, receiving even worse ratings than the 2007 movie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-21 |title=Hitman: Agent 47 {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitman_agent_47 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0465494|Hitman}} * {{IMDb title|0465494}}
* {{AllRovi movie|329210|Hitman}} * {{mojo title|hitman07}}
* {{rotten Tomatoes|hitman|Hitman}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|hitman}}
* {{metacritic film|hitman|Hitman}} * {{Metacritic film}}
* {{mojo title|hitman07|Hitman}}
* {{Tcmdb title|662884|Hitman}}


{{Hitman series}} {{Hitman series}}
{{Xavier Gens}}
{{Luc Besson}} {{Luc Besson}}
{{Vin Diesel}}


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Latest revision as of 17:53, 25 December 2024

2007 film by Xavier Gens

Hitman
In the distance is a woman in a red dress. In the foreground is a bald man wearing a suit and red tie, holding a gun, pointed upwardsBritish theatrical release poster
Directed byXavier Gens
Written bySkip Woods
Based onHitman
by IO Interactive
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLaurent Barès
Edited by
  • Carlo Rizzo
  • Antoine Vareille
Music byGeoff Zanelli
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • November 21, 2007 (2007-11-21) (United States)
  • November 30, 2007 (2007-11-30) (United Kingdom)
  • December 26, 2007 (2007-12-26) (France)
Running time92 minutes
Countries
  • France
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
Languages
  • English
  • Russian
Budget$24 million
Box office$101.3 million

Hitman is a 2007 action-thriller film directed by Xavier Gens and produced by Luc Besson, based on the video game series of the same name. The film stars Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47, a professional hitman engineered to be an assassin by the Organization. He becomes ensnared in a political conspiracy and finds himself pursued by both Interpol and the FSB. Dougray Scott and Olga Kurylenko star in supporting roles.

An international co-production between France, the United States and the United Kingdom, Hitman was released by 20th Century Fox in the US on November 21, 2007, followed by the UK on November 30 and France on December 26. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot but praised Olyphant's performance. Despite this, the film was a box office success, grossing $101.3 million against a $24 million budget. A sequel was canceled during the film's production due to its mostly negative reception, but the film was eventually followed by the reboot Hitman: Agent 47 in 2015.

Plot

Inside a heavily guarded facility, a group of young boys are given tattoos of bar codes on the backs of their shaved heads and are then trained in weapons, demolitions, unarmed combat, stamina, and strength to become professionally trained hitmen who operate around the globe. In the present day, Interpol agent Mike Whittier arrives home and is met at gunpoint by Agent 47. The two talk about 47's life as a professional hitman, raised and trained by a clandestine group known simply as the Organization.

Three months prior, 47 is completing a hit on a Nigerien warlord named Bwana Ovie. In a subsequent change of plans, 47 is told by his Organization handler, Diana Burnwood, that he is to kill his next target, Russian President Mikhail Belicoff, publicly instead of privately. Agent 47 completes his mission by shooting the man in the head, but before he can leave Russia, he is contacted by his superiors. He is mystified when told the hit was a failure and that Belicoff survived the attack on his life. The Organization notifies him of a witness to the assassination and orders him to intercept and kill her. However, when 47 realizes she has never seen him before, he does not shoot her; instead, he narrowly avoids an assassination attempt on himself by another agent and realizes he is being set up.

His employers send his location and identity to the FSB, but Diana secretly calls 47 and tips him off, revealing that Belicoff himself had ordered the hit. After escaping from his hotel, 47 intercepts Nika, Belicoff's mistress and the woman who supposedly witnessed his hit. He interrogates her and discovers that Belicoff had a double, who ordered the hit on the real Belicoff in order to take his place as the president of Russia. The Organization, hoping to gain influence with the new government, ordered 47 to kill Nika and then set him up to be erased and thus cover their tracks.

Nika and 47, attempting to leave Russia by train, are pursued by Organization agents, whom 47 subdues in hand to hand combat and kills. Whittier then attempts to arrest 47 himself, only to be easily overpowered. Nika persuades 47 to let Whittier go free, and Whittier is forced to leave Russia by FSB officer Yuri Marklov, who is overseeing the manhunt, for interfering. 47 contacts his associate, CIA officer Carlton Smith, to offer him a deal: 47 will kill Udre Belicoff (Mikhail's brother and a wealthy arms dealer and human trafficker) in exchange for a favour. Smith informs 47 that Udre had been planning something with a German gunrunner named Price.

47 and Nika travel to Istanbul, where 47 abducts Price, poses as him to meet Udre at a club, and kills him, forcing Belicoff's double to attend Udre's public funeral. 47 kidnaps Marklov and forces him to order his own agents to disrupt the funeral and create a distraction while 47, disguised as a soldier, deals with the imposter's bodyguards and kills him before Whittier arrives with backup from Interpol to take him into custody. Smith delivers on his end of the deal and has his operatives intercept the convoy that is transporting 47 to the airport, allowing the hitman to escape.

Back in Whittier's home, 47 threatens Whittier into notifying the police that he has killed (a fake) Agent 47. Nika is seen picking up an envelope containing the deed to a vineyard, a dream of hers to own. Agent 47 is watching her from afar, through the scope of a sniper rifle. Looking at the corpse of another agent lying at his feet, he muses that he had warned him (meaning the Organization) to leave her alone, and then walks away.

Cast

  • Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47: An orphaned child, taken in and trained by the Organization to become a professionally trained, internationally operating hitman for hire.
    • Borislav Parvanov as Young Agent 47
  • Dougray Scott as Mike Whittier: An Interpol agent who has been tracking Agent 47 for quite some time and finally confronts his mysterious target.
  • Robert Knepper as Yuri Marklov: Lead agent of an FSB force. He joins in the chase to capture Agent 47.
  • Olga Kurylenko as Nika Boronina: Mikhail Belicoff's mistress who is swept into companionship with Agent 47 as events unfold.
  • Ulrich Thomsen as Mikhail Belicoff and his body double: The President of Russia. He is targeted by Agent 47 as a mark early on in the film.
  • Henry Ian Cusick as Udre Belicoff: An international criminal wanted by the CIA and the FSB, while protected by his brother Mikhail Belicoff, who is President of Russia.
  • Michael Offei as Jenkins: Whittier's right-hand man at Interpol.
  • James Faulkner as Carlton Smith: A CIA agent who helps Agent 47 evade Interpol.
  • Eriq Ebouaney as Bwana Ovie
  • Emil Abossolo-Mbo as General Ajunwa
  • Lisa Jacobs as Diana Burnwood
  • Sabine Crossen as June: A young woman who tries to seduce Agent 47 at a bar.
  • Susan White as Mia
  • Asen Blatechki as FSB Driver
  • Vladimir Kolev as HRT Guy
  • Desislava Bakardzhieva as Female News Reporter

Production

Development

In February 2003, Hitman makers Eidos and IO Interactive entered negotiations with Hollywood production companies to adapt the video game to film. 20th Century Fox eventually acquired the rights and hired screenwriter Skip Woods to pen the screenplay, with actor Vin Diesel executive producing and starring in the film.

Casting

In December 2006, Diesel stepped down from the role. In January 2007, Olyphant was cast as the lead with director Xavier Gens at the helm. In March, actor Dougray Scott was cast as Agent 47's nemesis, with Olga Kurylenko, Robert Knepper, Ulrich Thomsen, and Michael Offei also joining the cast.

Filming

Principal photography began the week of March 27, 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria and lasted 12 weeks. A second unit also shot in locations including London, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, and Cape Town.

The release of the film was set back a few months to allow for the re-shooting of several scenes. These included a sword fight between four assassins in a train car, which replaced the original train platform sequence where Agent 47 fought only one assassin. Reports before the film's release confirmed that not only were reshoots taking place, but that Fox had fired Gens and denied him final cut. Nicolas de Toth was brought in at this stage to soften the edit and cut down material.

47's origins were also changed at this stage, with a decision to add footage from the TV series Dark Angel, which was also owned by Fox, in an effort to save money. Gens told an interviewer that whilst they are not directly dealing with the clone storyline, one scene (the original train station sequence) showing a bald, barcoded assassin (Jean-Marc Bellu) following Agent 47 (Olyphant), another bald, barcoded assassin, is very explicit and showed his intention to keep him as a clone. The detail was likely changed to accommodate for the casting of actors of multiple races during reshoots, making it impossible for them to be clones (or at least clones of the same person).

Olga Kurylenko revealed she refused to have a body double for her sex scenes.

Release

Box office

Hitman was originally slated to be released on October 12, 2007, in the United States and Canada, but the film's release was postponed to November 21, 2007. Hitman opened in 2,458 theaters in the United States and Canada, grossing $13,180,769 in its opening weekend, ranking fourth at the box office. The following weekend, Hitman opened in 12 markets, having the following highlights: $150,355 in 38 theaters in Indonesia, $224,449 in 37 theaters in Malaysia. and $244,329 in 32 theaters in the Philippines. In Taiwan, the film opened in fourth place with approximately $100,000. The film also performed weakly in Lebanon with $19,321 in 6 theaters. As of March 13, 2008, the film has grossed $39,687,694 in the United States and Canada and $60,278,098 in other territories for a worldwide total of $99,965,792, exceeding its estimated $24 million budget. The DVD sales equal $27,858,148 in the US alone, putting the total gross for Hitman at around $128 million, not counting television airing rights.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 16% based on 104 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Hitman features the unfortunate combination of excessive violence, incoherent plot, and inane dialogue." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 35 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.

Critics found fault with several aspects of the film, including a weak and often confusing plot, dry acting, and extreme violence. Roger Ebert notably gave it a positive, three-stars-out-of-four review, and said "Hitman stands right on the threshold between video games and art. On the wrong side of the threshold, but still, give it credit". In 2008, Time listed the film on their list of top ten worst video game movies.

Despite Hitman's mostly negative reception, Slovenian philosopher and film theorist Slavoj Žižek included the film in his personal list of 10 greatest films in a 2012 poll conducted by the Sight & Sound magazine. Commenting on his picks, he said the list contains "only 'guilty pleasures'" and he made "no compromises for high quality or good taste".

Home video

An unrated version of Hitman was released in the high-definition Blu-ray format on March 11, 2008, and features extras including deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a gag reel. This version also features a special digital copy of the film which can be transferred to a portable media device like an iPod. A standard-definition DVD was released on the same date in three versions. A single-disc theatrical version, a single-disc unrated version, and an unrated special edition including many extras, and the digital copy mentioned above. The unrated DVD is one minute longer than the theatrical cut and includes a few extended scenes with more blood. The UK version of the film was available on Blu-ray and DVD from 31 March 2008.

The French Blu-ray version of the film came with 10 deleted scenes, accompanied with French audio commentary by Xavier Gens. Some of the scenes included are the original assassination, in which Ovie survives, is taken to hospital only to be killed via lethal injection by 47 disguised as a doctor; the alternate train platform sequence which features no sword fight, as well as showing the older assassin biting off his tongue to avoid giving answers to 47; and an extended departure sequence between 47 and Nika, which shows Yuri and his men stopping their train and boarding it to look for 47.

An alternate ending in the special features of the DVD shows 47 watching Nika through his sniper scope as she opens the envelope. She then turns down a corner of a small street to be shot dead in a drive-by, possibly by men loyal to the organization behind the fake Belicoff, all while 47 watches.

Reboot

Main article: Hitman: Agent 47

IESB had confirmed that 20th Century Fox hired writer Kyle Ward to pen the script for the sequel to Hitman. Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter and Chuck Gordon were to return as producers. American actor David Hess, who died in October 2011, had been reported to have an as-yet-unnamed role. Daniel Benmayor had signed to direct the sequel. Olyphant stated on the Nerdist podcast that he had no interest in returning for a sequel and only did the original film in order to pay for his new house following the sudden cancellation of Deadwood.

On February 5, 2013, it was reported that the film would be rebooted with the title of the film being Hitman: Agent 47, and would have starred Paul Walker as Agent 47 prior to his death on November 30, 2013, with commercials director Aleksander Bach making his feature film debut helming the project. The screenplay was written by Skip Woods and Mike Finch. Shooting was expected to take place in Berlin and Singapore in summer 2013. On January 9, 2014, actor Rupert Friend was in talks to replace Walker as the character. On January 31, 2014, actor Zachary Quinto was cast in an unnamed role. On February 6, 2014, actress Hannah Ware was cast in the female lead role. On February 19, 2014, production on film began filming with Friend as Agent 47.

The film was theatrically released in the United States on August 21, 2015 and was panned by critics, even further than the original film, receiving even worse ratings than the 2007 movie.

See also

References

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External links

Hitman franchise
Games
Original series
World of Assassination
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Films directed by Xavier Gens
Luc Besson
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