PAUL WALKER ROBS BANKS WITH STYLE IN “TAKERS”

Paul Walker, best known as Brian O’Conner in “The Fast and Furious” franchise, stars in Columbia Pictures' new action-thriller “Takers” as John Rahway, a key member of a successful, high-living bank heist crew.

A recent No. 1 box-office hit in the U.S., “Takers” also stars Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, Tip “T.I.” Harris, with Chris Brown and Hayden Christensen.

In the film, a group of young criminals bankroll their extravagant lifestyle with a series of painstakingly planned bank robberies while a dedicated police officer makes it his personal mission to stop them. After years of meticulously planned heists, the crew is convinced by one of their own to risk it all for one last big score, but pulling off the job of a lifetime with a dogged detective and a vicious rival gang on their tail is a tall order, even for these seasoned pros.

Walker prides himself on giving 100 per cent commitment to a role and “Takers,” he says, appealed to him instantly. It’s a hi-octane, stylish thriller about a crew of expert bank robbers planning one last spectacular heist. “What’s not to love!” he laughs. “It was fun. I love stinting down the street chasing after people, all day long, that’s fun for me.” 

John Rahway, Walker points out, would seem completely unassuming to the casual observer. “He’d fit right in on Wall Street. But all these guys all have a thrill-seeking mentality. They like living like kings, and the nine-to-five just doesn’t suit them. John is a pretty level-headed guy who stays cool in really tense situations. If things go sour, he’s the one who’s going to kick in the door and pull you out." 

Idris Elba (TV's “The Wire”) plays Gordon, the mastermind of the group and John is his right hand man. “They can finish one another’s sentences, they’re like minded, and when you’re a criminal, that’s the best thing you can have,” explains Walker. “They’re both really secure with who they are and they realize how much they complement one another. They know that the more often you play with fire, the better the chance of getting burned. So they’ve agreed they will do one job a year and give things time to cool off before they even begin to entertain pulling another job.” 

“Not only that, but you know that there’s no way my guy would ever crack under pressure, or sell you out – he’s smart, very calculated, and he’s very quick to act,” Walker adds. “His improv skills are unbelievable. When stuff goes wrong, my guy will tie it together and fix it. He gets you out of a crunch.” 

Walker believes too, that he knows his audience – primarily because he loves the same kind of films that they do. An actor since he was a child, his career took off at high speed in 2001 when he starred in the summer smash hit “The Fast and The Furious.” “Paul has some Steve McQueen in him, with those blue eyes,” director John Luessenhop says. “He just has to look at something and you want to know more about what he’s doing. And I love the interplay between Paul and Idris Elba. You might think these guys would never have anything in common. But on the screen, they come together in a unique, warm friendship.” 

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Takers” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests.

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