AMBUSHED (Giorgio Serafini, 2013)

[leigh1975]

Yeah, that one. I've only just realised how few times he's played a cop compared to his contemporaries... I can only think of three films...

[savagesketch]

I was extremely excited when I read about the pairing of Dolph and Couture... Plus, him playing a cop, i.e. a DEA agent just sounds badass. But the fact that it's such a bit role that was shot in a matter of days dwindles my excitement. Perhaps it's a little premature to make judgements, especially at this point, but this role just doesn't give me the vibe of delivering...

On a side note, I understand that there's a quick paycheck in these side roles, but there has got to be other scripts out there that offer bigger, leading roles, right?

[leigh1975]

It depends what they cram into the scedule.

[Jox]

Shooting started Dec. 2 so if he shot 10 or 15 days that's enough for a good part. What I'm confused about is the synopsis - which makes him the leading role... And as far as good leading roles go he seemed to say there isn't so much movies in these budgets range anymore (either too small or too big), hence the TV series. He also sounds fed up (if not a tad bitter) with this type of roles and movies...

[leigh1975]

Fed up? Like he was when he was considering quitting? Because he can't get the directing gigs off the ground, so he's filling in time with stopgaps?

[Jox]

He never really considered quitting, that was a badly interpreted media rumor (when all he said to a Swedish journalist was he wanted to spend more time with his family)...

[leigh1975]

Ah. I think he needs to take control again and develop his own projects, maybe really get the ball rolling on skin trade... maybe he can get the roles he wants then.

[Jox]

Needs to be free of other commitments to get SKIN TRADE, WANTED MAN and NORDIC LIGHT (the one he really wants to direct himself because it's more personal) rolling...

[savagesketch]

Needs to be free of other commitments to get SKIN TRADE, WANTED MAN and NORDIC LIGHT (the one he really wants to direct himself because it's more personal) rolling...

What exactly is the holdup in getting these personal projects rolling, especially with him back behind the camera? No more than five years ago, he was careful with his projects, working on maybe two at most a year, with him in the leading role and as director... Now he's churning out project after project in a number of small, supporting roles... Not saying he's a Steven Seagal by any means, as each one of his performances is still memorable... But it's a little disappointing though, especially when big projects that he's been talking about for a few years now, i.e. SKIN TRADE seem to be on the horizon only to never materialize.

Is he taking on these roles to get the funds together to eventually produce his personal projects himself? That's the only logical reason I can see as to why SKIN TRADE has yet to happen, and he's starring in one dtv project after another...

[Jox]

SKIN TRADE he's only producing it and won't direct it. He'd rather take a more personal project for his next directorial project (NORDIC LIGHT). And he needs to make time for it, at least one full year from pre-production to final sound mix. Any time he wanted to do SKIN TRADE something else came up, lately John Hyams polished the screenplay but whether or not he will direct it will depend on both his and Dolph's schedule. And being a Swedish co-production and a long time dream (Dolph's Swedish periode piece projects [Civil War + WWI] go back to the mid-90s), so a lot of pressure, NORDIC LIGHT sure isn't gonna get off the ground by a finger snap... Dreadful experience and on both personal and professional levels, ICARUS seems to have hurt him quite a lot as well, so as THE EXPENDABLES came, he had offers he could take without worrying much.

[Jox]

Director tweets:

20 Dec Giorgio Serafini ‏@SerafiniG
Last day of shooting of RUSH #Dolph Lundgren, #Randy Couture, #Vinnie Jones. #Gianni Capaldi and an extremely talented group of people.

18 Dec Giorgio Serafini ‏@SerafiniG
I had a blast directing Randy Couture and Dolph Lundgren on "Rush". Can't wait to start working with Vinnie Jones.

Looks like an 18-day shoot, which I think is also more and more common unfortunately...
Though they seem to have a second unit according to the IMDB credits.

[Travis]

If Dolph is fed up or even bitter, maybe he should take some time off.I would miss seeing him on the screen but it may be best for him personally.

I would hope he's made enough money over the years to live comfortably without having to whore himself out and do projects he doesn't want to do.

I would like to see him enjoy life more than anything.

[bomaz]

Interesting enough : Chuck Saale, the "costar" of Dolph on the picture he has unleashed, was a cop for 25 years, and a SWAT hostage negociator too.
Should give some "credibility" to the flick

[Jox]

Giorgio Serafini ‏@SerafiniG
Had fun shooting with #VinnieJones last night. He always comes up with an unexpected and twisted add to his scenes.

[Jox]

Giorgio Serafini ‏@SerafiniG
I already miss the set of #Rush and its wonderful cast #DolphLundgren #RandyCouture #VinnieJones #GianniCapaldi. A wonderful experience.