Summit Entertainment announced, via press release, that principal photography was under way in Toronto on the comic book-to-film adaptation of the DC title RED. Originally a three-part series by Warren Ellis (John Constantine: Hellblazer), RED tells the tale of a former CIA special agent now living the quiet life. That is, until some high-tech gun for hire comes along, trying to kill him. Intent on keeping himself and his lady alive, the agent enlists the help of a few of his old team members.

And proving that a “comic book” film like THE DARK KNIGHT legitimized the genre, RED is comprised of an all-star ensemble featuring some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors. Here’s the break-down: Bruce Willis plays the retired agent while Mary-Louise Parker plays his love interest. Comprising the agent’s former team is Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich. The cast also includes Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, Karl Urban, Ernest Borgnine, Julian McMahon, James Remar, and Rebecca Pidgeon. If that doesn’t make you want to see this film, then there really is no hope for humanity.

You can check out all the details of RED in the press release after the jump.

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY UNDERWAY ON SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT’S “RED”

January 12, 2010 — Toronto, Canada –

Principal photography has begun in Toronto on Summit Entertainment’s spy-thriller “Red,” based on the DC Comics graphic novel of the same name by Warren Ellis.

Joining previously announced stars Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and Academy Award®-winners Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman, are two-time Academy Award®-nominee John Malkovich, Karl Urban, Brian Cox, Academy Award®-winners Richard Dreyfuss and Ernest Borgnine, Julian McMahon, James Remar and Rebecca Pidgeon.

“Red” is the story of Frank Moses (Willis), a former black-ops CIA agent, who is now living a quiet life. That is, until the day a hi-tech assassin shows up intent on killing him. With his identity compromised and the life of the woman he cares for, Sarah (Parker), endangered, Frank reassembles his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in a last ditch effort to survive.

Directed by Robert Schwentke (“The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Flightplan”) from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber (“Whiteout”), the film is produced by di Bonaventura Pictures’ Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian (“Salt,” “Transformers,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”). Executive producers are Jake Myers (“Shanghai,” “Hollywoodland”) and Gregory Noveck (“Jonah Hex”). Di Bonaventura Pictures’ production executive David Ready serves as co-producer.
“Red” reunites director Schwentke with director of photography Florian Ballhaus (“Marley & Me,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) and Oscar-winning film editor Thom Noble (“Witness,” “Thelma & Louise”) who collaborated with Schwentke on “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and “Flightplan.” Additionally, “Red” production designer Alec Hammond (“Donnie Darko”) and costume designer Susan Lyall (“Rachel Getting Married”) lent their talents to Schwentke’s “Flightplan” as well.
“I’m so excited at the phenomenal cast that Robert and our script have attracted,” said di Boneventura. “I think audiences are going to have a great time.”

Summit’s President of Production Erik Feig said, “RED is that classic project with a little bit of something for everyone. We are thrilled to see it come to vivid life with an outstanding cast, incredibly talented director, and top notch producing team. It’s gonna be a good one!””

“Red” will film in and around the Toronto metropolitan area for nine weeks before moving on to the road and ending in New Orleans in late March for the final two weeks of principal photography. The film is scheduled for worldwide release on October 22, 2010.

Source Summit Entertainment, via /Film