Cinema 2007: Seven Assassins, One Target

Universal Pictures and Working Title Films present the release of the high octane dark action comedy SMOKIN’ ACES in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from January 12th, 2007.

When Mob boss Primo Sparazza took out a $1m contract on Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel (Jeremy Piven), a sleazy magician who agreed to turn state’s evidence against the Vegas mob, word spread quickly throughout the criminal underworld. Bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin’ hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters all joined in the hunt. The FBI, sensing a chance to use Aces to bring down Sparazza, placed him into protective custody – under the supervision of two agents (Ryan Reynolds and Ray Liotta) who were dispatched to Aces’ casino hideout. With all eyes on Tahoe, a wave of various hired “guns” collide in a darkly comic race to hit the jackpot and rub out Aces, all while the FBI is trying to keep him alive.

The film stars Jeremy Piven (ITV’s “Entourage”, Very Bad Things), Ryan Reynolds (Just Friends, Blade: Trinity), Ray Liotta (Revolver, Goodfellas), Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland, Clerks II), Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Twelve, Modigliani), Peter Berg (Collateral, “Alias”), Jason Bateman (Dodgeball, “Arrested Development”), Matthew Fox (“Lost”) and in their motion picture debuts singers Alicia Keys and Common.

Joe Carnahan (Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane), who received critical acclaim for his directing debut on “Narc,” directs SMOKIN’ ACES from his original screenplay. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing with Robert Graf and Liza Chasin serving as executive producers. The film was shot entirely on location in Los Angeles.

Carnahan’s behind-the-scenes creative team on SMOKIN’ ACES includes cinematographer Mauro Fiore (Training Day), production designer Martin Whist (Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny) and costume designer Mary Zophres (O Brother Where Art Thou?).