Taken 2

quote

When you think of the film Taken, you think of the often quiet and calm Liam Neeson transforming into a Harrison Ford-level badass hellbent on rescuing his kidnapped daughter. The film was a gigantic smash hit compared to how it expected to fare at the box office. It also spawned a sequel that is currently in preparation, but it sounds as though the iconic figure of the film, Neeson, is wary of reprising his role.

Deadline has the scoop on these developments, noting that the makeshift action star is more interested in taking time away from the industry than devoting a chunk of time into the project. It certainly seems the money is there for the taking for the aging dramatic actor, but you cannot put a price on personal tranquility.

The film itself is currently in the working stages of pre-production, as directors and the like are being sorted out, with Transporter 3 director Olivier Megaton being tapped to helm the project. As for the lead, which is definitely up in the air, the likes of Mickey Rourke, Ray Winstone, Sean Bean, Jason Isaacs and Ralph Fiennes have been rumored to take the role off of Liam Neeson's hands. (Fiennes and Neeson have worked together on Schindler's List and Clash of the Titans.)

UPDATED: Recasting won't be necessary after all. Deadline reports "Liam Neeson and Luc Besson have come to a meeting of the minds and they have worked out the scheduling snafu that made him iffy for Taken 2. Neeson's reps at CAA are now closing the deal for Neeson to reprise what has become a signature role. Production is now being eyed for year end or beginning of 2012. Neeson will stick to his plan to take the rest of the year off, after completing the Clash of the Titans sequel he's shooting in London."