1980s TV action gets a reboot with this new version of The A-Team, which shifts the Vietnam vet backstory to a group of Iraq War vets who become mercenaries for hire. Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) directs from a script by G.I. Joe's Skip Woods. Liam Neeson heads up the crew as Hannibal, the brains of the operation, with Bradley Cooper as Face, UFC star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson filling in for Mr. T as B.A. Baracus, and District 9's breakout star, Sharlto Copley, inheriting the unhinged role of "Howling Mad" Murdock. Jessica Biel also co-stars. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Joe Carnahan - Director, Tony Scott - Executive Producer, Stephen J. Cannell - Producer, Ridley Scott - Producer, Jules Daly - Producer, Brian Bloom - Screenwriter, Joe Carnahan - Screenwriter, Skip Woods - Screenwriter
The A-Team is an upcoming feature film based on The A-Team television series. Its release is planned for June 11, 2010, and is produced by 20th Century Fox.[2] As of January 28, 2009, director Joe Carnahan is set to direct and Ridley and Tony Scott are set to produce.[3][4] The plot will involve a shift from Vietnam to the Middle East, and both Jules Daly and series creator Stephen J. Cannell are involved in the project.[5][dead link]
On October 30, 2009, Dwight Schultz confirmed that he had filmed a cameo scene for the movie.[9] This news was followed on the November 23, 2009, that Dirk Benedict would also make a cameo.[10] Schultz and Benedict played H. M. Murdock and Templeton 'Faceman' Peck respectively in the original series.
Development
The film has been in development since the mid 1990s, going through a number of writers and story ideas, and being put on hold a number of times. Producer Stephen J. Cannell hoped to update the setting, perhaps using the first Gulf War as part of the backstory.[11]John Singleton was initially assigned to direct, but in October 2008 he pulled out of the project.[12] When Singleton was still attached to the project as director, Ice Cube was approached for the role of B. A. Baracus.[13]
In June, 2009, Variety revealed that Liam Neeson was in negotiations with 20th Century Fox to star as Hannibal Smith, and Bradley Cooper has announced to MTV News that he will be playing the role of Templeton Peck after he first denied the rumors saying that he was involved and insisted that he had not seen any script.[14]
On August 26, 2009, MMAjunkie.com reported that mixed martial arts fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would play the role of B.A. Baracus in the upcoming film,[15] but this was later denied by a representative for Jackson.[16] In September 2009, The Vancouver Sun suggested that that Jackson has been attached to the role and will be postponing his upcoming fight at UFC 107 due to filming for The A-Team, started filming in Vancouver in late 2009, but no official confirmation has been announced.[17][18][verification needed][unreliable source?]
On September 15, 2009, Variety confirmed the casting of Neeson, Cooper, and Jackson. They additionally reported that Sharlto Copley and Jessica Biel were in final negotiations to join the cast. Copley would be playing the role of H.M. Murdock and Biel would be playing the ex-lover of Face who is an Army officer in charge of pursuing the team.[19] 20th Century Fox later confirmed that Copley and Biel were cast in the film.[20]
On September 30, 2009, a silver-haired Liam Neeson and the rest of the cast were seen filming scenes in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as shooting got under way.[21] The first official pictures of Neeson, Cooper, Copley and Jackson in character were soon released, including one which features the iconic van in the background.[22]
