‘Eastern Promises’ Followup Takes Shape With Jason Statham And A New Director

I think it’s safe to say that Eastern Promises, the 2007 Russian mobster film from David Cronenberg and star Viggo Mortensen, was what it was because of those two. What’s curious has been all of this talk of a sequel, because it’s been clear from the start that neither would be coming back. If you’ve been waiting for another film in the Eastern Promises universe, then today is your lucky day because it’s finally taking shape and, as expected, will be something totally different.

THR reports writer Steven Knight has finished his screenplay for a film titled Small Dark Look, set in the same world of Russian mobsters as Eastern Promises. However, leading the cast this time will be…Jason Statham!?!?  And behind the camera instead of Cronenberg will be Martin Zandvliet.

Okay, so the Statham thing is sorta weird, but I guess he has more experience in crime movies than most. Just keep reminding yourself that this is NOT going to be a continuation of Eastern Promises and he is not playing Viggo’s character.  Zandvliet isn’t a known commodity like Cronenberg, but he was the director behind the tremendous Oscar-nominated WWII film Land of Mine. Most recently he directed Jared Leto in The Outsider, so he’s not without cred.

Travis Hopson
Travis Hopson has been reviewing movies before he even knew there was such a thing. Having grown up on a combination of bad '80s movies, pro wrestling, comic books, and hip-hop, Travis is uniquely positioned to geek out on just about everything under the sun. A vampire who walks during the day and refuses to sleep, Travis is the co-creator and lead writer for Punch Drunk Critics. He is also a contributor to Good Morning Washington, WBAL Morning News, and WETA Around Town. In the five minutes a day he's not working, Travis is also a voice actor, podcaster, and Twitch gamer. Travis is a voting member of the Critics Choice Association (CCA), Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA), and Late Night programmer for the Lakefront Film Festival.