Killers Premiere Report
Director Robert Luketic talks about his muse Katherine Heigl, and reveals Romancing The Stone status.
Last night Killers had its European premiere in London's Leicester Square, and while it was a subdued affair, we managed to grab a few words with the stars who did turn up.
Katherine Heigl was left to hold the fort at the Odeon West End, walking the pink carpet in a striking Victoria Beckham dress (with a guest list so poor, her frock becomes the most interesting part of the night), while co-star Ashton Kutcher was presumably still in LA.
The pair play a married couple whose life is turned upside down when Heigl discovers Kutcher is a contract killer. The romantic comedy sees the actress team up for the second time with her Ugly Truth director Robert Luketic.
We caught up with Luketic, whose previous work includes Legally Blonde and 21, and asked what he likes about his new favourite leading lady. "I love that there's no nonsense, and whether it's dramatic or comedic, it's always going to be spot on," the LA-based Australian said. "I know that I can always rely on her. Even if a scene's not playing well, she'll just shine. Her attention to detail is like nothing I've seen."
"She's just one of my favourite actresses I've ever worked with," he gushes. "I've never been able to look people in the eye and say that, but she's truly extraordinary." Luketic went on to explain their unique relationship: "I just like her attitude - I consider her a personal friend. She's my neighbour so I can just lob scripts in her front garden! It's just easy, you know? Often in our business it can be so complicated, and unnecessarily awkward, and it's not with her. I can see her in her bra and undies and think nothing of it, it's fine! She's seen me in my shorts!"
He was then asked about the mixed reception Killers has received, and whether it bothers him. "My movies... I don't make them with the intention of reviewers finding them," he remarks. "Reviewers don't have as much of a commercial stance. I've never chased reviews, I don't read them. It doesn't bother me. You can't make something that pleases everybody, nor can you go through your career making things for people. I make them for you guys, not critics. People who buy tickets - critics get free screenings."
However, Luketic remains positive about his critical maulings, thanks to the good box office he generate. "So far, knock on wood, people buy tickets to the movies I make", he points out. "There are many directors, Clint Eastwood comes to mind, who were derided in their careers. When he was making Any Which Way You Can with orangutans, but they were rediscovered later. I've been doing this since I was 23, I'm still young."
We asked about his rumoured involvement in a remake of Romancing The Stone, and it's a relief to find at least one director hesitant to touch the Eighties classic, starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: "I would take it on only if there was something exceptional in its script. It's a very beloved movie, but I like the idea of action and comedy and I think they go well together."
Luketic then dropped a few hints about one remake he definitely is working on - Barbarella. He'll be tackling Roger Vadim's 1968 cult classic with veteran producer Dino De Laurentiis, and while he couldn't reveal the three actresses he has in mind for Jane Fonda's role, let slip that "two are American and one isn't" and that they've "got beautiful bodies and they're great actresses".
With Heigl running late for the premiere, we only got a quick chat, where she spoke about her role as executive producer on The Ugly Truth and the forthcoming Life As We Know It. Asked if she would consider directing, the answer is... unlikely. "I've very grateful for the opportunity to produce, as I'm stoked that anyone cares what I think! As far as directing, I can't imagine I'd ever do it, because even at this stage, twenty years into it, I still don't understand how it works and how you set the cameras up!"
Killers is released on 16th June.
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