Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 crime drama Point Break features one of the greatest bromances ever told (probably), between FBI agent Johnny Utah and free-thinking surfer and bank robber Bodhi. For those who were busy/not yet born in 1991, however, Alcon Entertainment is remaking Point Break for the 21st century, with newcomer Luke Bracey (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) set to play Johnny.
Bodhi, the character originally portrayed by the late Patrick Swayze in Point Break, was until recently going to be played by Gerard Butler (Olympus Has Fallen). A hasty recasting is now required, however, as Butler had to leave the project due to a scheduling conflict, most likely with upcoming sequel London Has Fallen. At the time we predicted that Alcon would find an actor with equivalent star power to take over the role that Butler vacated, but according to the latest casting update it seems that another relatively unknown actor will be joining Bracey on the posters.
Variety reports that Édgar Ramírez, who can next be seen in Scott Derrickson’s supernatural horror film Deliver Us From Evil, is currently in negotiations to play Bodhi. Filming on Point Break is set to begin in June, which doesn’t leave Alcon much time to go window shopping for actors, so it can be assumed that these talks are serious even if they’re not yet finalized.
Although surfing will still be a strong element, the plot of the Point Break remake will take place against the broader backdrop of extreme sports. Cinematographer Ericson Core (The Fast and the Furious), who made his feature directorial debut in 2006 with sports drama Invincible, will direct Point Break from a script penned by Kurt Wimmer (Salt).
Ramírez has had a number of supporting roles in major films, including Zero Dark Thirty and Wrath of the Titans, and his hair is certainly lustrous enough for the part. Selling a movie with two mostly unfamiliar faces playing the leads will be a challenge for Alcon, but one really great trailer can make all the difference.
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Point Break does not have a release date yet, but we’ll keep you updated as development continues.
