All Aboard the Controversy and Chaos: Brad Pitt’s Bullet Train
The High-Speed Thrills and Spills
“Bullet Train,” the 2022 action-comedy flick directed by David Leitch, has been a rollercoaster of a film, both literally and metaphorically. Starring Brad Pitt as “Ladybug,” an American assassin with a penchant for bad luck, the movie takes us on a wild ride through a Tokyo bullet train filled with assassins, secrets, and chaos.
“Bullet Train unfolds on a high-speed railway in Tokyo, where the passengers are made up of a diverse group of assassins and criminals, each with their own hidden agendas.”
The Star-Studded Cast
The ensemble cast is a blend of established and emerging talent. Joey King portrays “The Prince,” a young assassin disguised as a schoolgirl, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry play British assassin brothers “Tangerine” and “Lemon,” who have a peculiar obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine.
“Bullet Train boasts an ensemble cast that blends established and emerging talent seamlessly.”
The Box Office Hit and Miss
Despite its controversies, “Bullet Train” managed to pull in a whopping $239.3 million worldwide, against a production budget of approximately $85.9 to $90 million.
“Bullet Train delivered a commendable performance at the box office, grossing $103.4 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $135.9 million in international markets.”
The Comedy Twist
Originally intended to be a serious action thriller, the film took a comedic turn when David Leitch, known for his work on “Deadpool 2,” joined the project. Brad Pitt’s casting, for which he was reportedly paid $20 million, further solidified the film’s comedic vision.
The Casting Controversy
The film has been criticized for casting non-Asian actors like Brad Pitt and Joey King in roles that some argue should have been portrayed by Asian actors. Critics argue that the film perpetuates the belief that Asian actors in leading roles can’t carry a blockbuster.
“Critics argued that the film perpetuated the belief that Asian actors in leading roles couldn’t carry a blockbuster, despite recent successes like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
The Author’s Defense
Kōtarō Isaka, the author of the book “Maria Beetle” on which “Bullet Train” is based, defended the film, describing his characters as “ethnically malleable.”
“Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch highlighted Isaka’s views, assuring that the film honored the novel’s ‘Japanese soul’ while casting big-name stars like Brad Pitt.”
The Oscar Snub
While “Bullet Train” was a box office success, it didn’t receive any Oscar nominations. This is in stark contrast to “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” which had an all-Asian cast and won a total of seven Oscars.
The Sequel Buzz
The film did well enough at the box office that there are rumors of a sequel in the works. Whether the sequel will address any of the original film’s controversies remains to be seen.
The Final Stop
“Bullet Train” may not be Brad Pitt’s most successful film, but it’s a high-speed, action-packed cinematic experience that has left audiences and critics divided. With its blend of comedy, action, and a dash of controversy, this is one train ride that moviegoers won’t forget anytime soon.
