Prime Video Unleashes London's Fastest Ever Car Chase in New Thriller

Published 1 hour ago4 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Prime Video Unleashes London's Fastest Ever Car Chase in New Thriller

Collider's Steve Weintraub recently conducted interviews with the stars and director of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War, the upcoming spin-off movie from the Prime Video series. John Krasinski, who reprises his role as Jack Ryan and serves as an executive producer and co-writer, along with Wendell Pierce (James Greer) and Michael Kelly (Mike November), discussed the decision to return to the Jack Ryan universe as a feature film, the expanded scope of "Ghost War," and other exciting projects like "A Quiet Place Part III" and "Taylor Sheridan's Lioness." Director Andrew Bernstein also shared insights into the movie's ambitious action sequences.

Krasinski expressed that he "never felt good about leaving the character behind" after the fourth and final season of the series. The move to a movie format for "Ghost War" was seen as an opportunity to not only deliver a grander spectacle but also to open up the Jack Ryan universe to a new audience. Krasinski emphasized the desire to be respectful of the existing legacy while making the film "10 times more intense and 10 times more action-packed," and consequently, more fun to shoot. Michael Kelly echoed this sentiment, stating that the film "one-upped the series," a challenging feat. Wendell Pierce highlighted the standalone nature of "Ghost War," ensuring that new viewers can enjoy it without prior knowledge of the show.

The plot of "Ghost War" sees a reluctant Jack Ryan thrust back into espionage after a covert international mission uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving a rogue black-ops unit. To counter this formidable enemy, Ryan teams up with seasoned CIA operative Mike November, his former boss James Greer, and Sienna Miller's whipsmart M16 officer, Emma Marlow, to untangle a complex web of betrayal.

A standout emotional moment in the film is a poignant scene between Jack and Greer in the MI6 office, where they debate the ethics and methods of intelligence gathering. Greer's line, "There are people in the world who kill the monsters, so you don't have to," encapsulates the moral complexities explored. Wendell Pierce described this scene as "one of the highlights" of his career, praising Krasinski's writing for examining the internal debates within the intelligence community. Krasinski himself aimed to delve into Greer's demotion and the guilt he carries, portraying the characters like brothers defending each other's sides, acknowledging that people often do the best they can even when they make mistakes.

Beyond the character-driven drama, "Ghost War" boasts a "record-breaking" 14-minute car chase through Central London. Krasinski hailed this massive action sequence as a testament to why he "fell in love with movies to begin with," requiring hundreds of talented individuals and months of preparation. The cast and crew secured unprecedented permissions, with London allowing the first car chase in over 20 years and likely the fastest speeds ever permitted for filming in the city. Pierce likened the experience of filming the chase to "riding a rocket ship," highlighting the immense scale and expertise involved in controlling Parliament Square for the sequence.

In addition to "Ghost War," the interviews touched upon other high-profile projects. John Krasinski confirmed that filming for "A Quiet Place Part III" was set to begin "one week from today" (at the time of the interview), expressing his excitement to "close out my chapter" with what he always envisioned as a trilogy. Michael Kelly also provided an update on "Taylor Sheridan's Lioness," confirming his involvement in Season 3, which has completed filming and is expected to be released around late summer.

The conversation also veered into lighter topics, offering a glimpse into the actors' personalities. When asked about favorite Steven Spielberg films, Krasinski and Kelly both chose "Jaws" for its cinematic impact and storytelling, with Krasinski particularly appreciating its script's portrayal of relationships. Pierce, deeply moved, selected "Schindler's List," haunted by the image of the little girl in the red coat. Krasinski playfully admitted moving to New York City to live near a Dunkin' Donuts, a running joke with Weintraub for 20 years. The camaraderie among the cast was evident, with Kelly confirming that Sienna Miller quickly adapted to their "traveling comedy troupe" dynamic, and Krasinski humorously recounting Kelly's knack for grabbing every freebie on an Emirates first-class flight. Krasinski also joked about getting "too old for this shit," noting the physical toll of stunts, particularly the quads seizing up from sudden sprints.

Director Andrew Bernstein, known for his work on shows like "The West Wing" and "Ozark," discussed his practical approach to directing "Ghost War," preferring authenticity wherever the script and studio allowed. He elaborated on the meticulous process of choosing international filming locations such as London and Dubai to maintain the series' legacy of capturing stunning real-world landscapes. Bernstein also briefly mentioned his upcoming reunion with Krasinski for Amazon and Prime Video's thriller series "Silent River." Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War is now streaming on Prime Video, inviting audiences to experience its heightened stakes and spectacular action.

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