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Square Enix announces mobile strategy game Hitman Go
The Hitman series will see its first entry on tablets and smartphones in Hitman Go, Square Enix Montreal announced today. The turn-based strategy game will have players navigating "fixed spaces on a grid" while using familiar tools from the stealth series, such as sniper rifles, Agent 47's Silverballers, disguises and distractions. Though it's not clear if the image accompanying the announcement is just concept art, the developer said Hitman Go will use "beautifully rendered diorama-style set pieces." While Square Enix Montreal did not hand out a release date or price for the game, it did note that Hitman Go is "almost ready for launch." Additionally, the developer is currently working on "something else" in addition to the mobile game, which seemingly "fits perfectly within the Hitman fantasy." [Image: Square Enix Montreal]
Zachary Quinto signs on for Hitman movie reboot 'Agent 47'
Zachary Quinto has been cast in Fox's upcoming Hitman movie reboot, Agent 47. The report, which comes from Deadline Hollywood, does not mention the role Quinto will play. Zachary Quinto is best known as Spock in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot and its sequel, Star Trek: Into Darkness. Quinto previously played Sylar on NBC's Heroes and is currently in The Glass Menagerie on Broadway. Agent 47, the follow-up to the 2007 Hitman film starring Timothy Olyphant, was originally set to star Fast & Furious star Paul Walker before the actor passed away in a car crash last November. Earlier this month, news that Homeland's Rupert Friend was set to replace Walker proved the project would carry on despite Walker's death. The film will be directed by Aleksander Bach, based on a script from Skip Woods and Michael Finch.
Hitman: Contracts emerges from the shadows, stalks Steam
Hitman: Contracts, the third entry in IO Interactive's stealth murder series, is finally available for individual purchase on Steam. Previously the game was only available as part of the Hitman HD Trilogy, which bundled Hitman 2, Hitman: Contracts and Hitman: Blood Money into one convenient wannabe-murderer's package. A music licensing issue surrounding a track in the "Rendezvous in Rotterdam" mission prevented Hitman: Contracts from being re-released as a standalone game on Steam. The Hitman HD Trilogy was able to sneakily sidestep this issue by replacing the song altogether; however, Steam users are currently reporting Hitman: Contracts has had its entire soundtrack and voice over tracks removed in the Steam version, so we've reached out to Square Enix for comment. Hitman: Contracts, compatible with Windows PC, will set chrome dome assassins back $7 on Steam.
Homeland's Rupert Friend replaces Paul Walker as Agent 47
Rupert Friend will play smooth-top assassin Agent 47 in the second Hitman movie, Variety reports. Paul Walker, who passed away in a car crash on November 30, was first chosen to replace Timothy Olyphant in Agent 47. Rupert Friend is best known for his work as Peter Quinn on the Showtime series Homeland. Friend also played Mr. Wickham in 2005's Pride & Prejudice and Prince Albert in The Young Victoria. The original Hitman film grossed nearly $100 million worldwide despite being panned by critics. Aleksander Bach, who has mostly done commercial work up until now, will direct the sequel based on a script by Skip Woods and Michael Finch.
Report: Square Enix Montreal's next-gen Hitman canceled, mobile game in development [update]
The major Hitman game under production at Square Enix Montreal has been canceled, according to a senior game designer's LinkedIn profile. The game was originally announced with the studio's founding in 2012. VideoGamer also notes another employee's LinkedIn profile, which claims the studio is currently working on a Hitman game for iOS and Android. Don't fear, Agent 47 acolytes. Last we heard there was a second Hitman game in production at series founder IO Interactive. Today's word seems to be more of clean-up job and public acknowledgement of the shake-up that occurred last year under the Square Enix umbrella. At the time, several projects were canceled and a new reporting structure was executed. Update: Polygon received the following statement from a Square Enix representative: "Io-Interactive is developing a new, AAA Hitman game that will be coming to PC and next-gen consoles and Square Enix Montreal is fully focused on mobile development of games some of which are related to the Hitman franchise. We look forward to sharing more details about these titles later this year."
Hitman movie rebooted with 'Fast and Furious' Paul Walker
Paul Walker will play Agent 47 – replacing Timothy Olyphant – in an upcoming Hitman movie. While we all desperately try to understand who makes these casting decisions, Deadline reports the movie's title is Agent 47 and will be written by the folks behind A Good Day To Die Hard. First-time feature film director Aleksander Back will helm the project.The Hitman movie starring Olyphant from 2007 grossed $100 million worldwide despite its imperfect execution. The new film will begin filming in Berlin and Singapore this summer after Walker wraps promotion for Fast And Furious 6.
Hitman: Absolution trailer focuses on story, actors in goofy mo-cap getups
The Hitman series is known for allowing players to create their own narratives within the sandbox levels, but with Hitman: Absolution, developer IO Interactive has enlisted Hollywood talent like Vivica Fox, Powers Boothe and Shannyn Sossamon to help tell Agent 47's latest story.
Hitman: Absolution's Agent 47 reminds us of his O.G. status
The Hitman folks probably should've stuck the word "assassin" somewhere in their game title – that way they could avoid embarrassing marketing moments. Take, for instance, the trailer above's insistence that Agent 47 is the "original" assassin. Doesn't his blood-soaked legacy speak for itself?
Potential Hitman ARG suggests new announcement is coming in time for E3
Some subtle marketing suggests we'll be hearing about a new Hitman game soon. Well, okay, we have been hearing about it -- Hitman 5 isn't exactly a secret at this point, having been mentioned on IO Interactive resumes and namedropped by a voice actor. But things are heating up yet again, indicating a full-on reveal isn't far off. Some potential subtle marketing is the source of this latest uptick in attention, starting with an ad from Faircount Media Group in a catalog at the Sundance Film Festival depicting a box of Hitman Series brand doughnuts with a bardcode ending in "47." When a Hitman Forum user tracked down the agency responsible for the ad and emailed them, he received a response from an account saying "you are on the right track," along with a new image showing a pair of black gloves, what appears to be a game script, and another barcode ending in "47." Forum users claim some of the random numbers, when deciphered, point to E3. Add in the vague responses from an actual IO Interactive employee on the Hitman Forum boards (Nick@IO is his user name) and it would appear we've got the makings of an ARG -- that is, unless it's all just one big, very mean conspiracy.
Agent 47 voice actor pleads the 5th on Hitman 5
In an interview with The Liberty Gaming.com, David Bateson, the ice cold voice of Agent 47 in the Hitman games, was reluctant to say much about the mysterious next sequel in the series. "As recently as this year, I even had someone call me up from IO Interactive to ask me to remove the fact that I was set to record the next installment in the franchise," Bateson told the site, "which I had written up as upcoming news on my website. I respect that of course, a comment like that can create all sorts of headaches to people with development deadlines to meet." "I have to plead the 5th Amendment on this one," Bateson said, before admitting that the new project has undergone "delays" -- despite the process being "a well oiled machine on recording day." That's not to say he just waltzed into the gig. "It seems that with company buy outs and global power shifts in the world of computer gaming and the Hitman franchise, there is now an LA-based caster on board, who is responsible for voice casting, and I had to audition along with the rest of the planet for the right to play Agent 47," Bateson recounted. "However, I have been informed by IO Interactive that I still have the part. I won't even bother to describe how gutted I would have been if they went for a sound-a-like."
IESB: Writer hired on for sequel to Hitman movie
As fans of the exploits of one Agent 47, seeing Hitman the movie was like watching a really bad movie. But, Fox liked how much money it made (grossed near $100 million in worldwide box office sales, dontchaknow) -- IESB reports the studio has hired on writer Kyle Ward to pen a sequel, with producers Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter and Chuck Gordon returning. Ward is no stranger to adapting games for film, as he recently penned Kane & Lynch, set to star Bruce Willis and begin filming later this year. Hey. Ward, do us a favor? Before you get to work, make sure you watch a decent film about a hitman first, 'kay?
Three Hitman hits chopped up and stuffed in a box
Agent 47 is about to get all bundled up and enter the frigid climate of retail to make even more of a killing as his last three adventures get bundled into one compilation called Hitman Trilogy. The game will include Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts and Hitman: Blood Money. and will retail on PS2 and PC for the worthwhile price of $29.99, now if they'll allow the Blood Money control scheme to be used in the other two titles, that would be sweet. The game ships June 20 (today).A bonus disc comes in the box which has a "preview" of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, IO Interactive's latest title which features a mercenary and his lovable psychotic associate. IO Interactive is a company that really doesn't get the attention it deserves. The Hitman series has been a sleeper hit for the company and they were also the developers behind the excellent Freedom Fighters. As much as we like Agent 47, and wish all the best for Kane and Lynch, another chance at Freedom Fighters would be a nice surprise.
Hitman plot publicized, Agent 47 pursues 'damaged' girl
Twentieth Century Fox has released the plot synopsis for the Hitman movie, revealing that a pinch of double-0 instinct has been added to Agent 47's cold-blooded repertoire. In between dodging Interpol and pursuing those who've betrayed him, ol' 47 notices some "unfamiliar emotions" bubbling up from the nether region. Even a supposedly enhanced clone ain't immune to a "beautiful, damaged" girl, it would seem.Hitman is starting to sound a lot like star Timothy Olyphant's last flick Catch & Release, in which he falls for a woman damaged by the death and secrets of her fiancé. Uh-oh Mr. Bullock, you been typecast.
Deadwood star replaces Vin Diesel in Hitman movie
No, not Swearengen! Vin Diesel has been replaced by Deadwood's Timothy Olyphant as star of the upcoming Hitman movie, reports Ain't It Cool News. Bullock as Agent 47? Perhaps Olyphant's range as an actor will lend itself to the role of a brooding sociopath -- more so than what "The Pacifier" could bring to the big screen.Whatever the outcome, Skip Woods has completed his script, and the Hitman project has received the greenlight, with Luc Besson (Transporter 2) recently climbing aboard as co-producer. Hitman could be in theatres as early as next fall. We ain't holding our breath.
