Remember when Mickey Rourke was on a “comeback”? Well, looking back since his return of sorts in Darren Aronofsky‘s The Wrestler, the actor has made exactly zero worthwhile films since then (unless you want to count my abnormal obsession with anything Tarsem-related). Unfortunately, his next film looks to continue the pattern, as we can see in the first trailer today.
With a groan-worthy title of Java Heat, Rourke has seemingly invented a new accent for this action-thriller, which also stars Kellan Lutz, a Twilight star Hollywood is viciously trying to make “happen.” Even with all of our bashing, we sincerely hope this can prove to be some low-rent VOD fun, but with flat humor and action, as well as a bland plot, this new look isn’t selling us. Check out the trailer below for the film directed by relative newcomer Conor Allyn.
Synopsis:
At a time when relations between the West and Islam are dangerously tense, Java Heat opens amidst the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation. Java Heat centers on Jake (Lutz), a reckless American tough guy who becomes embroiled in the turmoil ensuing the attacks, which killed the country’s much beloved Sultana.
Jake is bent on vengeance but quickly finds the world a more complicated place than he can solve with violence alone. Lost among labyrinths of religious, political and cultural havoc, Jake must ally with cerebral Muslim detective Hashim (rising Indonesian star Ario Bayu), who handles Jake more like a suspect than a partner. The uneasy friendship leads to a treacherous man-hunt for the attack’s real instigator, a new breed of klepto-terrorist (Rourke), who is even more twisted and terrifying than the Jihadist terrorists he hides behind.
Java Heat was directed by Conor Allyn and written and produced by Conor and Rob Allyn. Rob is a former international political consultant and New York Times best-selling author (Revolution of Hope). Previously, Conor wrote and directed Margate House’s Red & White trilogy. The trio of Indonesian war epics were among the biggest box office successes in the country’s history and scored unprecedented distribution worldwide.
Java Heat hits theaters on May 10th before a VOD release three days later.