Hitman - The Movie: A Dark, Thrilling Treat for Fans and Not Only

Hitman - the movie is one film which I wouldn't miss for the world, not so much because I'm a fan of the game series (although I'm sure this will be the main reason for which some of you will want to see it) but because I've been waiting for it for such a long time. Hitman makers, Eidos and IO Interactive, first started negotiations with Hollywood production companies to adapt the video game to film in February 2003 (that's four years ago, people).

And after Twentieth Century Fox eventually acquired the rights, there came a long wait in which the screenwriter (Skip Woods) and lead actor (Vin Diesel, who was also going to be executive producer) which were first set to work on the movie eventually stepped down in December 2006 and hired a screenwriter to pen the screenplay with actor Vin Diesel starring in the film. Finally, In January this year Timothy Olyphant was cast into the lead role with director Xavier Gens attached at the helm. Production began in Sofia, Bulgaria, and lasted 12 weeks, but the movie will carry the audiences around the world, with other filming locations including London, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and South Africa.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the general story line, so I will only briefly insist on it. Olyphant takes on the role of Agent 47, a genetically-engineered man who ever since his birth has been educated to become a professional assassin for hire, whose most powerful weapons are his nerve and a resolute pride in his work. "47" is both the last two digits of the barcode tattooed on the back of his head and his only name. The movie follows a classical "hunter becomes the hunted" story line, with a plot twist in which 47 gets caught up in a political takeover and as a result ends up being chased by the Interpol and the Russian Military Eastern Europe as he tries to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding who wants him out of the game, and why.

And since Twentieth Century Fox have been remarkably tight-lipped about the incoming movie, the only sneak preview into its making and atmosphere comes from the lead actor himself, Timothy Olyphant (whom you probably remember from "Live Free Or Die Hard" and "The Girl Next Door," as well the HBO show "Deadwood") - and this is what he had to say about the way the movie was conceived.

"Xavier [Gens] had some really great ideas' he says. He's an unapologetic fan of the game. But he's also a cinefile in the truest sense of the word, and he had great inspirational ideas, classic films -- both ones I was familiar with and not familiar with -- and so everything was leading towards making this smarter and smarter. It felt like we were not going to dumb it down or pander to the audience. At least that's what we were trying to do. Though when you look at the trailer, it certainly doesn't look like a videogame movie. Not any videogame movie that I've seen, anyway".

Curious? I sure am - and looking forward to the release on November 21st. Until then, you can enjoy the movie trailer below and the thought that very soon, fan of the game or not, you will have access to an upgraded, brand new version of the Hitman silent, dark but brilliant universe. Which, as far as I see it, is pretty much a treat in itself - so enjoy!