Forgotten Netflix Comic Book Movie Starring Bruce Willis And More Huge Stars
One of the most underrated film adaptations of a comic book is now available to stream on Netflix where it is generating a new fan base. Red, starring Bruce Willis amid an all-star cast of players, has just been added to the streaming giant’s growing library and is proving itself as a rare action/comedy that really does stand the test of time. Fans of the film have found it to be an excellent rewatch while newcomers are buckling up for a wild and hilarious ride.
Red
Like the comic book it’s based on, Red follows Francis “Frank” Moses (Bruce Willis), a former black ops agent with the CIA that was pushed into an early retirement by superiors. Frank’s training, attitude, and lethal set of skills earned him the label R.E.D. (Retired, Extremely Dangerous), as his reactions to the events he’s presented with ultimately prove.
When Frank learns that he is the target of a skilled high-tech assassin, the retired killer attempts to thwart his predator’s efforts by reassembling his old black ops team from his earlier years at the government agency.
The Cast
Red brings audiences more than just Bruce Willis. Alongside the Die Hard and Unbreakable star is an assembly of Hollywood talent that gave the film a true ensemble cast.
Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, Ernest Borgnine, and James Remar make up one of the best action film rosters in the last 20 years and gave Red the star power to cement itself as a box office giant.
The Box Office
Red was released to theaters in the United States in October 2010 and generated nearly $200 million in box office receipts during its run on the big screen. Considering the budget was an estimated $60 million (primarily due to its long list of A-list stars and top-notch special effects), the net haul was one that made Di Bonaventura Pictures and the distributor, Summit Entertainment, happy with their investment.
Not An Easy Film To Make
Red also spawned a sequel in 2013, where Bruce Willis reprised his role of Frank. The second film brought back many of the same stars from the original and was a success with nearly $150 million in ticket sales.
Red wasn’t the easiest Bruce Willis film to get the green light, as has been the case with many comic book adaptations. The DC comic book representative that sought to get the production underway was caught in a legal tangle with Warner Bros. Pictures, who had exclusive rights. Unfortunately, the production company had zero interest in bringing Red to life on the big screen.
Stream It Now
GFR SCORE
But Warner wasn’t okay with Gregory Noveck and DC taking the comic book title elsewhere, either. In order for Red to happen, the studio would need to grant permission to have the movie shopped to another company, a move that Warner sat on for several years before budging.
Finally, in 2008, the Bruce Willis film was granted a go ahead from Warner for the film concept to be pitched to Di Bonaventura Productions where it was accepted.
You can stream Red with a subscription to Netflix.
