Cogan’s Trade

First Teaser Poster for KILLING THEM SOFTLY, Starring Brad Pitt

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: May 21st, 2012 at 12:16 pm

Earlier today we got our first look at director Paul Thomas Anderson’s highly anticipated new film The Master.  The Weinstein Company showed off the first footage from the drama at the Cannes Film Festival today, where they’re also set to debut another incredibly promising property that’s set for release later this year: Killing Them Softly.  The film marks director Andrew Dominik’s follow up to his phenomenal 2007 film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and stars Brad Pitt as a mob enforcer who’s tasked with investigating the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.

The first clip for Killing Them Softly debuted earlier this month, but a stylish new teaser poster has just gone online.  It’s minimalist yet enticing, and I love the juxtaposition of the American flag with the pistol aimed right at the onlooker’s face.  Hit the jump to check the poster out in all its glory.  Killing Them Softly hits theaters on September 21st.

First Clip from KILLING THEM SOFTLY Starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 10th, 2012 at 9:38 am

The first clip from Andrew Dominik‘s Killing Them Softly has gone online.  The film (formerly titled Cogan’s Trade) stars Brad Pitt as a mob enforcer who’s tasked with investigating the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.  The terrific cast also includes Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy, Bella Heathcote, and Sam Shepard.  The clip shows Shepard’s character roughing up Liotta, and it gives an indication of the tone Dominik’s trying to strike.  There’s some clever camerawork culminating in a bit of dark comedy, and I’m curious to see if the rest of the film has the same attitude.

Hit the jump to check out the clip, and click here to check out some images from the movie.  Killing Them Softly will premiere at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, and hit theaters stateside on September 21st.

Line-Up for 2012 Cannes Film Festival Announced; Includes COSMOPOLIS, KILLING THEM SOFTLY, LAWLESS, and THE PAPERBOY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 19th, 2012 at 7:21 am

The full line-up for the 2012 Cannes Film Festival has been announced, and there are some heavy hitting debuts making their premieres.  As we’ve previously reported, Wes Anderson‘s Moonrise Kingdom will open the festival.  This year’s Cannes will also include Cosmopolis (directed by David Cronenberg), The Paperboy (from Precious director Lee Daniels), Lawless (from The Road director John Hillcoat), Killing Them Softly (from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford director Andrew Dominik), Mud (from Take Shelter director Jeff Nichols), Rust & Bone (from A Prophet director Jacques Audiard) and On the Road (from The Motorcycle Diaries director Walter Salles).

Click on the corresponding link for more on each film, and hit the jump for the full line-up.  The 65th Cannes Film Festival runs from May 16 – 25th.

Release Date News: COGAN’S TRADE Set for September 21st; SCARY MOVIE 5 and BUTTER Knocked Back

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 16th, 2012 at 9:15 am

This morning, we’ve got some quick release date news regarding The Weinstein Company’s upcoming films.  First up, the crime drama Cogan’s Trade is set for September 21st.  This would put the film slightly after the Toronto International Film Festival, and so the flick could make a showing at TIFF to build some buzz and maybe start an awards run.  The film stars Brad Pitt as a mob enforcer who’s tasked with investigating the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.  The film also stars Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy, Bella Heathcote, and Sam Shepard.  The September 21st date will set the movie against the Judge Dredd reboot, Dredd, the animated family comedy Hotel Transylvania, and the thriller The House at the End of the Street.

Hit the jump for news on the release date changes for Scary Movie 5 and Butter.

5 New Images from COGAN’S TRADE Starring Brad Pitt

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 14th, 2012 at 9:02 am

Five new images from Cogan’s Trade have gone online.  Based on the novel by George V. Higgins and written and directed by Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), the film stars Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan, a mob enforcer who must investigate the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.  The film also stars Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini (both looking like they’ve slipped back into mob-mode), Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom), Scott McNairy (Monsters), Bella Heathcote (In Time), and Sam Shepard.  With Dominik at the helm and this spectacular cast, Cogan’s Trade is one of my must-see movies of the year.  Although no release date has been announced, I’d be surprised if The Weinstein Company didn’t set the film loose on the festival circuit this fall.  Hit the jump to check out the images.

First Good Look at Brad Pitt in Andrew Dominik’s COGAN’S TRADE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 7th, 2011 at 11:28 am

At the beginning of March, some blurry set photos from Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Cogan’s Trade leaked online.  Today, an official-looking image from the film has been released and it shows star Brad Pitt in all his slicked-hair, shotgun-wielding majesty.  Pitt plays Jackie Cogan, a mob enforcer who is tasked with investigating the heist of a high-stakes card game.  The movie has an impressive cast that includes Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom), Scott McNairy (Monsters), rising star Bella Heathcote (Now), and Sam Shepard.

Judging by the image, the film looks to have the grittier feel of Dominik’s debut film Chopper rather than the lyrical, haunting pace of his previous work, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The Weinstein Company picked up the rights to the film and will likely release the movie in 2012.  Hit the jump to check out the image.

First Set Photos from COGAN’S TRADE and SAFE HOUSE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 8th, 2011 at 12:06 pm

The first set photos from Cogan’s Trade and Safe House have gone online.  The photos from Cogan’s Trade are pretty grainy, but Brad Pitt certainly looks the part of mob enforcer Jackie Cogan.  The plot centers on Cogan’s investigation into the heist of a high-stakes poker game.  With Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James) at the helm and a cast that also includes Casey Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, Ray Liotta, and Richard Jenkins, I’m beyond excited to see how this film comes together.

Safe House is also an exciting prospect.  The thriller stars Ryan Reynolds as a CIA Agent who must safely transport a dangerous criminal (played by Denzel Washington) to a safe house.  The flick also stars Nora Arnezeder, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard.  Hit the jump to check set photos from both films.  Safe House is due out February 10, 2012 and Cogan’s Trade is also currently set for an early 2012 release.

Scoot McNairy Set for a Lead Role in COGAN’S TRADE; In Consideration for PROMETHEUS and ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 16th, 2011 at 7:05 pm

The already impressive cast of Andrew Dominik’s (The Assassination of Jesse James) Cogan’s Trade has added one more. Scoot McNairy, star of Gareth Edwards’ low-budge Monsters has nabbed one of the lead roles in the flick alongside Brad Pitt. Other castmembers include James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, Casey Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Ray Liotta, Bella Heathcote, and Richard Jenkins. The story of Cogan’s Trade revolves around a mob enforcer (Pitt) who must investigate the robbery of a high-stakes poker game. Filming is set to get underway later this month in New Orleans.

Deadline’s report that McNairy joins Cogan’s Trade also points out that the actor is in high demand. He’s in contention for a role in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and is circling the role of Josh Speed in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. No telling how he plans to fit all of that into his schedule should he land all of these roles, but it sure would be quite a ride. Cogan’s Trade is set to be released sometime in 2012.

Ray Liotta Joins COGAN’S TRADE; Casey Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem Confirmed to Co-Star

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 15th, 2011 at 2:10 pm

When we last left Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of George V. Higgins’ crime novel Cogan’s Trade, the film was stacking up a great cast led by Brad Pitt and costarring James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, Bella Heathcote, and Richard Jenkins.  Also rumored to be in the cast were Casey Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, and Javier Bardem.  Risky Business now confirms that not only are Affleck, Ruffalo, and Bardem in the mix, but Ray Liotta is getting in the game as well.

The story of Cogan’s Trade revolves around a mob enforcer (Pitt) who must investigate the robbery of a high-stakes poker game.  Liotta is set to play “Mark ‘Markie’ Trattman, the unfortunate hustler who runs the game in a motel room and finds things only going downhill from there.”  Filming begins later this month in New Orleans for an early 2012 release.  The only way I can see this cast getting any better is if the rumor about Bill Murray joining the film comes true.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.

Richard Jenkins Joins COGAN’S TRADE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2011 at 12:25 pm

The cast for Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Cogan’s Trade is becoming even more impressive.  The film already stars Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, rising star Bella Heathcote, and now the great Richard Jenkins has joined the picture.  Pitt is set to play Jackie Cogan, “a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that takes place during a high-stakes poker game held under the protection of the mob.”  According to Variety, “Jenkins will play a lawyer who relays inside information about the card game.”  Filming is set to begin later this month in New Orleans.

Jenkins will be seen later this year in Hall Pass, Friends with Benefits, and The Rum Diary.  He’s also in talks to play a nun in the Farrelly Brothers’ adaptation of The Three Stooges.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Cogan’s Trade.

James Gandolfini Picks Up TWYLIGHT ZONES; Will Likely Join EXTREMELY LOUD and COGAN’S TRADE

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 24th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

James Gandolfini is apparently an experienced juggler.  From what we can tell, the actor may soon be balancing as many as three new projects in the near future.  Gandolfini has been confirmed for the first of the three projects, The Sopranos creator David Chase’s new film Twylight Zones.  Per Deadline, that film is set in 1960′s New Jersey and tells the story of an awkward teen (played by John Magaro) who begins to grow into his own as the lead singer of a rock band.  According to the report, Gandolfini will play the teen’s disapproving Italian father (sounds about right).

As for his other two potential projects, Gandolfini is currently in final negotiations to join Stephen Daldry’s adaptation of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock already star) as well as Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Cogan’s Trade (headed by Brad Pitt).  For more on those two projects, hit the jump.

The Weinstein Company Acquires COGAN’S TRADE for 2012 Wide Release; James Gandolfini May Join the Cast

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 11th, 2011 at 8:04 pm

The Weinstein Company has acquired the domestic distribution rights to Cogan’s Trade for a wide release in early 2012 — a smart move given what we know about the project.  Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James) will direct and adapt the sharp George V. Higgins crime novel.  Brad Pitt and Sam Rockwell are confirmed to star, and an earlier report suggested Casey Affleck, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Bill Murray, Mark Ruffalo, and Zoe Saldana could join the ensemble.

The latest update lists Affleck’s involvement in a more official capacity and adds James Gandolfini’s name to the list of possible ensemblers.  More after the break:

Sam Rockwell Joins Andrew Dominik’s COGAN’S TRADE Starring Brad Pitt

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 5th, 2011 at 9:53 am

We previously reported that Sam Rockwell may be joining Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of the crime novel Cogan’s Trade.  Deadline is now confirming that Rockwell is on board and will join Brad Pitt in the film.  With Casey Affleck also rumored to be joining the project, it looks like Dominik is getting his Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Ford gang back together.  Someone should call up Jeremy Renner, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Schneider, and the rest of that film’s stellar cast to see if they want to get in on this action.

Hopefully, the other names rumored along with Rockwell will also come on board.  A movie directed by Dominik that starred Pitt, Rockwell, Affleck, as well as Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray, Josh Brolin, and Zoe Saldana and has the plot of Cogan’s Trade would be at the top of my must-see list.  Then again, it’s already near the top with Pitt and Rockwell.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.

Brad Pitt Confirmed for Andrew Dominik’s COGAN’S TRADE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 30th, 2010 at 4:31 pm

Last month, we told you that The Assassination of Jesse James director Andrew Dominik was looking to reteam with a few of the actors from that film for his next feature, Cogan’s Trade. Well, it looks like at least one of the James gang will for sure be reuniting with Dominik: Brad Pitt. Pitt is set to star in the titular role of Jackie Cogan in the adaptation of the George V. Higgins novel.

Cogan’s Trade tells the story of an enforcer, Cogan, who is hired by the mob to investigate a high stakes poker heist. Other names mentioned to possibly join Pitt in the film include Jesse James co-stars Casey Affleck and Sam Rockwell, as well as Bill Murray, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the novel.

Brad Pitt to Star in COGAN’S TRADE; His Next Film Could Be THE GRAY MAN

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: November 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm

Director Andrew Dominik seems intent on getting the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford gang back together for his next film, Cogan’s Trade.  Some sleuthing linked Casey Affleck to Trade earlier today; now co-star Sam Rockwell is similarly rumored, while Brad Pitt has signed on to the project in a more official capacity. According to Heat Vision, Pitt will play Jackie Cogan, “a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that takes place during a high stakes poker game under protection of the mob.”

Of course, starring in Jesse James isn’t a contractual necessity.  Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem are likewise under consideration for a role in the film.  Hit the jump for a look at where Trade fits into Pitt’s schedule alongside the script for The Gray Man.

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