| | Denzel Washington vs. John TravoltaAuthor: Malaya
Column: Entertainment Columbia Pictures "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" frames the hijacking of a subway train and the subsequent standoff between cops and crooks as a terrifying cat-and-mouse game, pitting an ordinary, overburdened train dispatcher, played by Denzel Washington, against a mercurial vengeful killer portrayed by John Travolta. Washington says that he was attracted to the role of Walter Garber by finding a most unusual character at the center of the action-thriller. "Hes not a cop, he is a civil servant," the actor explains. "When hes confronted with the hostage-takers demands, hes like, Look, wheres the hostage negotiator? This is not what I do. Garber is not a superhero. Hes scared." The filmmakers, including director Tony Scott, had only one name in mind for their leading man. "Only an actor like Denzel Washington, with his powerful screen presence and immense talent, could make such an ordinary character in an ordinary desk job so compelling to watch," says screenwriter Brian Helgeland. For the role, Washington talked to veteran subway workers, including one who just retired after 60 years. But in a sense, Washington had spent many years preparing for the role. "I grew up in New York and I took the 2 train from 241st and White Plains Road every day," he says. "When I was a kid, Id go between cars, between stations, sneak down the side of the train. You never went too far. It was interesting, after 30 years, to be on the subway." "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" is distributed by Columbia Pictures and opens on June 12. Source: Malaya |
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