"Drive" was one of the most visually astounding films of 2011. Its director Nicholas Winding Refn received rave reviews and awards acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, and justly so. It's oozing with style, though the narrative is a little murky. From this, he's naturally gotten a whole slew of offers, and the latest one is a slightly unexpected choice.
Today, Deadline reported that Refn was in final negotiations to direct "Button Man", from British cominc anthology "2000AD". The plot centres on "a group of millionaires, "The Fixers" organizing a deadly game of murder amongst "Button Men", guns-for-hire that they pay to kill one another. When one man, Harry Exton, enters the game, he decides to put an end to it once and for all."
The violent, noir-ish tone sounds like something that would appeal to Refn, and it seems that he is indeed a lock for the project. But the confirmation came from one of the comic's creators, Arthur Anson, who posted this statement on his official site: "I understand that DreamWorks have signed Nicholas Refn as director for a 'Button Man' film. They are now looking for a new writer for the Button Man screenplay. Their option with John Wagner and I has been renewed for another twelve months. Ungrateful wretch that I am, I was hoping the making of the film would be confirmed at this time and make me rich and famous before Christmas but this is good news and I guess improves the possibility that DreamWorks will make the movie."
Before this however, Refn is set to shoot "Only God Forgives", reuniting him with his "Drive" star Ryan Gosling. The duo are also said to be working on a remake of 70s TV show "Logan's Run". Who knows, Refn might even get Gosling for "Button Man" as well…
