The animatics did more than convince the studios: it helped convince the actors that Davis was serious about his vision. Because of this, Davis managed to rally an award-winning cast.
Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Sideways) said, “He had all of this stuff animated out, which was really cool, and gave you an enormous amount of confidence that the guy knew exactly what he was going to be doing. He was hyper prepared.”
Even with a clear vision of the shooting script, there were adjustments, specifically during a romantic scene that ends up awash in bullets. “It’s full blown shootout while making love. There were challenges. There was such a lot going on. But it’s one of the wittiest, funnest scene in the movie,” said Clive Owen (Sin City, Children of Men).
Ultimately, it was the script that convinced the actors to sign on.
Monica Bellucci (The Matrix II and III, Irreversible) said, “I read the script and said, ‘My God, the script is crazy. How was he going make this movie?’ I met Michael Davis, and he told me about everything he wanted to do, so I said yes. And I had so much fun because [her character, DQ, is] totally free. She does dangerous, dark, dirty things, but in a playful way.”
Bellucci says her role was important because, “I think that he wanted to bring the emotion in the middle of all of this mess and violence and blood, because in the end it’s all about love.”
Owen liked that his character, who only goes by the name Mr. Smith, is an enigma. The only details we learn about Smith come from an extrapolation. “Even when Paul’s character [Mr. Hertz] gives us that history, we don’t know if he’s right or not. All you need to know about that guy is when it all goes off, he’s going to deliver.”
What also drew the actors was the action, which they see as both funny and exciting. Bellucci said she liked that the movie had humorous elements. “It was over-the-top, like a videogame.”
Owen said, “It’s like Tom and Jerry; it has nothing to do with real violence in the real world. You’ll never see a shootout with guy skydiving from a plane.”
