BLOODSHOT is a Valiant Comics adaptation from Sony Pictures and director Dave Wilson. Starring Vin Diesel, Eiza Gonzalez, Sam Heughan, Tony Kebbell and Guy Pearce, the film is due for theatrical release February 21, 2020.
Based on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, he’s an unstoppable force –stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories, too. Now, Ray doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not – but he’s on a mission to find out.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the first ever bigscreen movie adaptation from Valiant Entertainment and after seeing the first preview for Sony’s BLOODSHOT, I’m not sure if I’ll still be waiting after the film’s release early next year or not… I’ve been a huge fan of the character since Jeff Lemire took over writing Bloodshot for Valiant a couple years ago with the BLOODSHOT: REBORN run. I loved it. It grounded the character, continued the mythos that Valiant had firmly set before, but still breathed fresh new life into the franchise. Equal parts horror, action and superhero sci-fi, BLOODSHOT is like The Punisher of the future and although I was never on board with Vin Diesel portraying him, I’ve come to accept that’s the situation.
The preview feels like they only took the physical concepts of the character into consideration and I’m not sure if they’re saving the bigger reveals for new previews later on or what the hell is happening, but I’m not so sure the BLOODSHOT movie is the adaptation with ties to a larger universe at all. I would have loved seeing Valiant build their own superhero shared cinematic universe and I’m guessing that won’t happen now with this first entry. Diesel is a great actor and I’m sure he’ll give BLOODSHOT justice and the action from what I’m seeing here looks badass and gritty, all things that had to happen for this movie to work. However the groundhog day style plot device, along with the lack of Bloodshot’s signature pale skin and blood drop logo are all missing (sorta) and they are essential character traits that help distinguish this hero.
Maybe they won’t do white-face on Vin Diesel I guess? I understand why because you know – that’s messed up. But at the same time, he doesn’t look like Bloodshot at all aside from the red eyes. I campaigned for Frank Grillo to get the leading part three years ago because he looks EXACTLY like the Reborn arc version of the character and he’s an incredible action performer, but I guess he wasn’t the “big” name Sony was looking for.
Overall the flick looks fun but sadly I don’t think it’s the fine-tuned adaptation that Valiant Entertainment really needed to kick off their bigscreen ventures.