When the Hitman movie deal was announced, many people grumbled over the fact that Vin Diesel was cast as Agent 47. When he was eventually replaced by Timothy Olyphant, the howls of protest reached new heights. Many believed the Deadwood star couldn't convey the proper amount of sangfroid to play Eidos' legendary assassin. Others just thought he was too young and/or too handsome to play the older, more angular 47--who bears a striking resemblance to British actor Jason Statham (Crank).
Today, the first photos surfaced from the set of Hitman on fan site Filmwad.com. They show Olyphant in full 47 regalia, replete with a sharp black suit, shaved head, and barcode tattoo on the back of his skull. (Click on the photo to see front and rear shots of the actor posing with a fan on Filmwad.com.) Hitman is being directed by Xavier Gens, who was an assistant director on the Jean-Claude Van Damme film Maximum Risk. Bankrolled by 20th Century Fox, it is slated for a US release this fall.
