22. July 2007

Timur Bekmambetov wrapped production on Universal's Wanted in the Czech Republic on Saturday. The crew now moves on to Chicago, where they will shoot Aug 7-17. Czech press reported Bekmambetov as saying the budget of the film was $50m. The film is the first in production and distribution deal between Bekmambetov's Bazelevs Productions and Universal Pictures International. Producer Iain Smith had negotiated to shoot the film, which is set in a US city, in the UK, but a lack of studio space in London and the cultural requirements of Britain's new tax credit system resulted in most of the film being shot at Prague Studios and in and around Prague. Universal will release the film March 28 in the US, Norway and Sweden. Other European releases are scheduled for April. Michael Brandt, Derek Haas and Chris Morgan adapted the script from the comic book miniseries created by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. James McAvoy stars as Wes Gibbons - a disaffected, cube-dwelling office worker. When his estranged father is murdered, Wes is recruited by Fox (Angelina Jolie) into the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins. Morgan Freeman plays Sloan, the Fraternity's enigmatic leader. Jolie's presence on the film proved a challenge for publicists. In late April, Jolie star brought her partner Brad Pitt and the couple's four children with her to Prague. Paparazzi from around the world quickly descended on the couples their rented villa. The film is produced by Marc E. Platt, Jim Lemley, Jason Netter and Iain Smith. Executive producers are Marc Silvestri and Adam Siegel. Matthew Stillman and David Minkowski of Prague-based Stillking Films are co-producers.