Director was a no-show on the first day of shooting.
‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ helmer Lynne Ramsay has dropped out of directing the Natalie Portman-led Western revenge thriller ‘Jane Got A Gun.’
Principal photography on the Brian Duffield-scripted film was set to kick off on Tuesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico but Ramsay failed to show up. Exclusive Media, the film’s international sales rep confirmed Ramsay’s exit revealing that talks are underway with a replacement director.
“As the international sales team for ‘Jane Got A Gun’ we are disappointed by the departure of Lynne Ramsay but Scott Steindorff and the production team have our full support and we are fully confident the film schedule will be back on track within 24 hours as we understand a replacement director is already in hand.”
Talking to Deadline, producer Scott Steindorff said, “I have millions of dollars invested, we’re ready to shoot, we have a great script, crew and cast. I’m shocked and so disappointed someone would do this to 150 crew members who devoted so much time, energy, commitment and loyalty to a project, and then have the director not show up. It is insane somebody would do this to other people. I feel more for the crew and their families, but we are keeping the show going on, directors are flying in, and a replacement is imminent.”
Ramsay’s exit from the film follows the departure of Michael Fassbender, who apparently dropped out as the male lead after falling-out with Ramsay.
‘Jane Got A Gun’ centres on Jane Hammond (Portman), a good girl married to one of the worst baddies in town. When her husband Bill turns against his own gang, the vicious Bishop Boys, and returns home barely alive with eight bullets in his back, Jane knows it’s time to ditch the dress for a pair of pants and strap on her own gun. As the relentless leader John Bishop gears up for revenge, Jane’s best hope for her family’s survival rests with her old love Dan Frost – a gunslinger whose hatred for Bill is only slightly overshadowed by his love for Jane. Together Jane and Dan spring clever traps, luring Bishop’s men to certain death just as their old feelings for each other resurface amidst the flying bullets.