At this point in his career, Liam Neeson is practically the patron saint of killing as many bad guys as it takes to protect your family, so it makes perfect sense that he's in negotiations to star in 'The All Nighter.' Boiled down to its basic elements, the film sounds like another entry in the "older badass kills countless people after they threaten his family" subgenre. Throw in a few tense cell phone conversations and you have classic Neeson.

To be fair, 'The All Nighter' differs from the 'Taken' films in two immediately distinct ways. First, it will take place over the course of one long night. Secondly, Neeson will not play a mercenary, but a retired hitman, making this the first Neeson action movie to cast him on the wrong side of the law. Here's a plot synopsis, courtesy of The Wrap:

The story follows an aging hit man who, in order to protect his wife and son, must take on his former boss in a single night. He then winds up on the run from the mob and the authorities with his estranged son.

Actually, that synopsis sounds more like the excellent French thriller 'Sleepless' night (which takes place in one location over one long night) than either of the 'Taken' films, but whatever. The moment you cast Liam Neeson as a man who has to kill his way across a city to save his family, you've opened yourself to infinite 'Taken' comparisons. This is the blessing and the curse of the Neeson.

What do you think? Will you ever get tired of Liam Neeson playing the action hero?

 

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