"Kiler" II
The movie, a comedy about a naive taxi driver mistaken for a serial killer, was seen by 2.2 million viewers across the country and grossed zl. 17 million ($5 million).
The film was so successful that American producers paid $600,000 for the rights to "Kiler" and are willing to invest $40 million in the movie's remake.
While these plans are moving forward, "Kiler's" director, Juliusz Machulski, decided to shoot a sequel, called "Two Killers." The same parties involved in the first Kiler plan to back the second effort, namely Studio Filmowe Zebra, Canal+ Polska and ITI Cinema of Warsaw, said Jacek Bromski, head of the Polish Film Makers Association and a director with Zebra.
"(If) half of the people come to see it, it will already be a success," Bromski said.
While the details of "Two Killers' " shooting are supposed to be a secret, anybody walking by the Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers on ulica Prusa Tuesday or Wednesday of last week could not have failed to notice the 20-person crew busy filming the movie.
Little is known about the sequel's script, except that the taxi driver from the original movie is supposed to have a double. Bromski, who is familiar with the script, said that he thinks "Two Killers" will also be a hit.
"It's very funny," he said. "I like it a lot."
The sequel already has a larger budget than that of its predecessor. "Two Killers" has zl. 3 million ($869,500) to spend, Bromski said, which is 66% higher than the zl. 1.8 million ($520,000) it took to make the original.
Producers and financial backers are putting up most of that money, with only about 6% of the cash coming from product placements.
While "Kiler" may have more funds at its disposal this time around, the budget is still only one-third of what is being spent to make the most costly movie in Poland to date, "Pan Tadeusz." Director Andrzej Wajda is in the midst of shooting "Pan Tadeusz" here.
"Two Killers" should finish shooting around Aug. 2, but the movie is not expected to reach theaters before Christmas or even early January, Bromski said. ITI Cinema will distribute the film.
The producers involved in "Two Killers" did not answer calls last week, apparently trying to keep information on the movie's progress under wraps.
"Most pictures stay quiet until they're released," said Kai Schoenhals, one of the two partners behind Open Door Entertainment, an independent film production company.
Open Door brokers the rights to Polish films to Hollywood producers. The company arranged the sale of "Kiler's" rights to Disney's Hollywood Pictures.
Schoenhals said if the sequel is a success, Open Door may try to sell "Two Killers" to American producers as well.
The film was so successful that American producers paid $600,000 for the rights to "Kiler" and are willing to invest $40 million in the movie's remake.
While these plans are moving forward, "Kiler's" director, Juliusz Machulski, decided to shoot a sequel, called "Two Killers." The same parties involved in the first Kiler plan to back the second effort, namely Studio Filmowe Zebra, Canal+ Polska and ITI Cinema of Warsaw, said Jacek Bromski, head of the Polish Film Makers Association and a director with Zebra.
"(If) half of the people come to see it, it will already be a success," Bromski said.
While the details of "Two Killers' " shooting are supposed to be a secret, anybody walking by the Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers on ulica Prusa Tuesday or Wednesday of last week could not have failed to notice the 20-person crew busy filming the movie.
Little is known about the sequel's script, except that the taxi driver from the original movie is supposed to have a double. Bromski, who is familiar with the script, said that he thinks "Two Killers" will also be a hit.
"It's very funny," he said. "I like it a lot."
The sequel already has a larger budget than that of its predecessor. "Two Killers" has zl. 3 million ($869,500) to spend, Bromski said, which is 66% higher than the zl. 1.8 million ($520,000) it took to make the original.
Producers and financial backers are putting up most of that money, with only about 6% of the cash coming from product placements.
While "Kiler" may have more funds at its disposal this time around, the budget is still only one-third of what is being spent to make the most costly movie in Poland to date, "Pan Tadeusz." Director Andrzej Wajda is in the midst of shooting "Pan Tadeusz" here.
"Two Killers" should finish shooting around Aug. 2, but the movie is not expected to reach theaters before Christmas or even early January, Bromski said. ITI Cinema will distribute the film.
The producers involved in "Two Killers" did not answer calls last week, apparently trying to keep information on the movie's progress under wraps.
"Most pictures stay quiet until they're released," said Kai Schoenhals, one of the two partners behind Open Door Entertainment, an independent film production company.
Open Door brokers the rights to Polish films to Hollywood producers. The company arranged the sale of "Kiler's" rights to Disney's Hollywood Pictures.
Schoenhals said if the sequel is a success, Open Door may try to sell "Two Killers" to American producers as well.
