Edited by Nicolas de Toth | ||
Produced by Andrew RonaAlex Heineman Written by Byron WillingerPhilip de Blasi Starring Liam NeesonVera FarmigaSam NeillElizabeth McGovernJonathan BanksPatrick Wilson | ||
The Commuter is an upcoming British-American action thriller film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, and written by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi. The film stars Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Sam Neill, Elizabeth McGovern, Jonathan Banks, and Patrick Wilson. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 12, 2018, by Lionsgate, and in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2018, by StudioCanal.
Contents
Plot
Michael is an insurance salesman who is on his daily commute home, when it quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger, Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realizes a deadly plan is unfolding and is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy. One that carries life and death stakes for himself and his fellow passengers.
Cast
Development
In January 2010, Olatunde Osunsanmi boarded the film as director for the production company Gold Circle Films, with a screenplay written by Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi. More than a year later, in August 2011, Julian Jarrold was reported to be directing the film for Gold Circle.
In September 2015, it was announced that Liam Neeson would be starring in the action-thriller, produced by StudioCanal and The Picture Company. In January 2016, Jaume Collet-Serra closed a deal to direct the film, marking his fourth collaboration with Neeson, and was also reported to executive produce through Ombra Films with partner Juan Sola.
In June 2016, Vera Farmiga joined the cast in a role described as "a mysterious woman who boards a commuter train and proposes an enticing opportunity to Neeson's character, one that has dire circumstances if he accepts." The project marks the second working collaboration between Farmiga and Collet-Serra, after 2009's psychological thriller Orphan. On July 13, Sam Neill, Elizabeth McGovern, and Jonathan Banks were added to the principal cast. In August 2016, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith joined the cast of the film in an undisclosed role. That same month, Patrick Wilson joined the cast as a trusted friend of Neeson's character.
Filming
Principal photography began on July 25, 2016 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, and later continued in New York City. Neeson and McGovern were spotted on the set of the film at Worplesdon railway station in Surrey on September 18, 2016.
Release
In November 2015, Lionsgate pre-bought the domestic distribution rights to the film, in a deal with StudioCanal. The Commuter was scheduled to be released in the United States on October 13, 2017. It was then pushed back to January 12, 2018. It was initially set for release in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2017, but was pushed back to January 19, 2018.