William Goldman’s 1985 novelHeathad the makings of a gritty crime thriller for the big screen with its exploration of the moody life of a former mercenary-turned-bodyguard with a gambling addiction and a desire to fleeLas Vegas. Goldman’s novel was adapted twice: The 1986 thriller of the same name starringBurt Reynoldsunder the direction ofDick Richardsand the 2015 version,Wild Card, starringJason Statham, from directorSimon West.
Reynolds and Statham share something in common: both stars are world-renowned for their likable charm and ability to handle their own stunts. Yet, where Statham has enjoyed positive collaborations on his films, Reynolds’ bruised ego in the latter half of his career often led to high-profile embarrassments. Neither adaptation of the Goldman novel enjoyed box-office success. However,the Statham version would ultimately become the better take.
What Is William Goldman’s ‘Heat’ About?
According toSean Egan’s bookWilliam Goldman: The Reluctant Storyteller, the original novel was inspired by the Oscar-winning writer’s distaste for the city of Las Vegas and the seedy means of making a living there. Reynolds’Heatand Statham’sWild Cardare narrowed down to the Goldman book’s highlights: Las Vegas tough guy Nick “The Mex” Escalante (renamed “Nick Wild” in the Statham version) lives a lonely existence as a “chaperone” with dreams of raising enough money to flee away from Sin City to Venice, Italy. He often gambles in the casinos and takes small jobs to achieve his financial goals, such as allowing a lovelorn client to beat him up to impress a date. The action kicks into gear when Nick gets hired by a sex worker named Holly toget paybackagainst young gangster Danny DeMarco and his thugs who viciously assaulted her.With special combat skills involving edged weapons, Nick succeeds in beating the thugs and allowing Holly to commit a cringe-worthy act on DeMarco’s family jewels.
In the key subplots, Nick gets hired to toughen up a meek rich man, Cyrus, who becomes his unlikely companion. Additionally, Nick seeks to take his earnings from Holly’s job to gamble at the blackjack table to raise enough money to flee to Venice. His luck runs out when he blows all the earnings on a single bet. As Nick finds another path out of Vegas thanks to Cyrus’ generosity, a vengeful DeMarco defies his mobster father “Baby” by hunting the ex-mercenary down.
‘Heat’ Was Burt Reynolds' Failed Attempt at a Career Comeback
Reynolds saw the Goldman novel as an opportunity to resuscitate his fading movie star status. Recounting this period of his life in his memoirBut Enough About Me, the megastar of the ’70s had a string of box office disappointments in the early ’80s and suffered a serious injury to his jaw on the set ofCity Heatco-starringClint Eastwood. Additionally, the audience turning to new leading action stars of the day, includingArnold SchwarzeneggerandSylvester Stallone, caused theSmokey and the Banditstar to look like a relic of the past. After the failure of his 1985 crime-thrillerStick, Reynolds needed a significant makeover as an on-screen hero. No more fast cars and witty banter with his friendDom Deluise. The ‘80s was all about men with more action and less talk. Reynolds had to recapture the gritty edge he displayed in his 1981 hitSharky’s Machine.
Which Is the Most Underrated Jason Statham Movie?
Jason Statham has undoubtedly earned his impressive movie legacy, leaving a mark across genres — from action, to comedy, thrillers, and sci-fi. With The Transporter franchise, Death Race, The Expendables, Spy, Crank, Hobbs & Shaw, and movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels under his belt, there’s no shortage of high-octane performances for fans to dive into.
Given his expansive career, it comes as no surprise that some gems will fly under the radar. Stepping away from his most notable roles, which would you say is Jason Statham’s most underrated movie?
On paper, the character of Nick had all the qualities that made Reynolds popular in his prime: masculine, loyal to friends, and a spark in his eye when it came to the ladies.Unfortunately,Heat’s production was troubled right from the start, beginning with directorRobert Altmanbeing involved. According toPatrick McGilligan’s book,Robert Altman: Jumping Off the Cliff - A Biography of the Great American Director, the acclaimed filmmaker behindMAS*Hdropped out when Goldman refused to change the screenplay adaptation of his novel. Richards took over based on his past collaboration with producerElliott Kasneron the adaptation ofRaymond Chandler’sFarewell, My Lovely. Reynolds reveals in his memoir that he did not get along with the new director, resulting in a physical altercation that led to a years-long lawsuit. Between Reynolds' fading star power and the behind-the-scenes creative issues,Heatwas nowhere near the intense street-level thriller Goldman described in the novel. Barely released to theaters in 1986,Heatbecame an infamous footnote in Reynolds’ historic filmmography.
Jason Statham’s Brutality Is on Full Display in ‘Wild Card’
WhenWild Cardwas made decades later, the film was tailored to the British action star known for his proficient martial arts skills and charming wit. Yet, it went as far asfaithfully adapting the original screenplay that Goldman wrotebefore it was altered in production. The story beats remained mostly the same asHeatbut with one key difference:Statham is more believable as a prime badass in every scene than the aging, tired-looking Reynolds. Reynolds’ performance inHeatmirrored the state of his career in 1986. Instead of relying heavily on executing big stunts and Southern charm,he plays Nick like a burned out warrior exhausted by the thrills. Though the film leans heavily on Reynolds’ attempt at giving a realistic performance, he ends up losing his signature charisma in the process. Statham, however, is far more action-driven while playing a man wanting out of a violent world.
Unlike the Reynolds/Richards feud, Statham and West already had a positive working relationship withThe Expendables 2andThe Mechanic. With both men having a depth of experience in action, the fight sequences have a greater intensity, closer to Statham’sCrankmovies, than the ‘70s-looking approach thatHeattook on. One clear-cut example is the scene of Nick using edged items against DeMarco’s thugs.Heatrelies on slow-motion shots and quick cuts of Reynolds striking at the camera to hide his physical limitations with age.Wild Card’s version, however, goes even further incranking the motion of the shots,similar toThe Matrix’s bullet-time technique, for the audience to get the full effect of Nick’s brutality.
Wild Card’s more cohesive actor/director partnership goes beyond what’s on the screen. Director West, who replacedBrian De Palmaon the project, had a better collaboration with Goldman than the filmmakers of the 1986 film. Recalling an early conversation with Goldman in an interview withDen of Geek, West’s direction of Statham for nearly every scene inWild Cardis driven by the writer’s description of Nick as the most dangerous man in Vegas “even when he’s not doing anything, everybody in the room knows that, and everybody knows his history, what he’s capable of. And so, he ultimately, doesn’t have to do that much, because he is the toughest guy in Vegas.” With that description in mind,the character of Nick was the perfect embodiment of the no-nonsense Statham as opposed to the remorseful Reynolds.
‘Wild Card’s Cast Elevates the Jason Statham Action Movie
Another aspect ofWild Cardthat makes it a superior film toHeatis its supporting cast. ThoughHeatenjoyed fine performances fromKaren YoungandDiana Scarwid, the rest of the cast, includingWKRP in Cincinnati’sHoward Hesseman, appeared as if they were only there to collect a paycheck. Statham, however, has been fortunate enough to surround himself with bigger stars, whether it isThe Expendables,Parker, orThe Beekeeper. The performances inWild Cardshine with high-caliber talents breathing life into Goldman’s street-level characters, includingMilo Ventimigliaas DeMarco,Hope Davisas Nick’s card dealer friend Cassandra,Jason Alexanderas Nick’s pal Pinky, andStanley Tuccias Baby.
The standout of Wild Card’s ensemble isMichael Angaranoas Cyrus, originally played byPeter MacNicholinHeat. The former’s take on the self-made millionaire has a strong apprentice characteristic next to Nick akin toBen Foster’s role opposite Statham inThe Mechanic. The ability of Angarano’s Cyrus to hold his own to Statham’s Nick is much stronger than MacNichol softeningHeat’s gritty tone by playing the role as Reynolds’ latest comedic sidekick.
Wild Carddid not do strong enough business in theatersto warrant a new franchise for Statham, asHeatfailed to stop Reynolds’s box office slide. Yet, the differences in both films’ stars and the behind-the-scenes atmosphere made a huge difference in the overall quality. WhileHeatbecame an infamous chapter in Reynolds’ long career, Statham’s performance ofWild Cardonly added to his credibility as a legit modern-day action star.
