With the “Taken” saga, Liam Neeson began a second wind in his prestigious career. However, after the success of the first part, he could not have returned to interpret the character of Bryan Mills.
Taken : the resurrection of Liam Neeson
Before Taken, Liam Neeson was already a well-known and highly respected actor. Thus, the actor born in Ireland became known from the beginning of the 80s by playing in famous films such asExcalibur or even Assignment. But it was especially in the 90s that his career exploded: Darkman, Schindler’s List (feature film for which he was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor) and Star Warsepisode 1: The Phantom Menace, to recite nobody else but them. Throughout his filmography, he stands out for his propensity to embody courageous and revolutionary characters.
However, it was at the end of the 2000s that Liam Neeson takes another turn : that of the character who comes out of retirement to break mouths. This is how we find it in Taken in 2008 where he plays Bryan Mills, a retired secret agent who tries by all means to save his daughter, kidnapped in Paris.
The French film, produced by Luc Besson, is a huge commercial success which generates two breathtaking suites. However, it also allows Liam Neeson to start a new career where he dons the costumes of an action movie star with interchangeable feature films reminiscent of Taken : Unknown, Non-Stop, Night Run, The Passenger, The Veteran or ice road.
At 70, Liam Neeson looks healthier than everas evidenced by his two testosterone films released in 2022: Blacklight and Memory. Note that this same year, he had the opportunity to resume his character of the Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn in the series Obi-Wan Kenobi and Tales of Jedi.
Bryan Mills without Liam?
In 2017 came out the television series Taken, based on the hit film series. This time, the role of Bryan Mills was played by actor Clive Standen (Vikings) who played the young character. However, the series flopped, with viewers calling for Liam Neeson, become almost inseparable from the secret agent. However, fans almost suffered the same misadventure in 2012, on the occasion of Taken 2.
In effect, Filmsnews reported in 2011 that Luc Besson, eager to complete the filming of this sequel as quickly as possible, had considered replacing Liam Neeson. It must be said that at that time, the actor was in demand on many films. The latter wanted, for his part, that a postponement of the filming of Taken 2 be carried out so that I can take a break. To play in his place, prestigious names had even been mentioned: Mickey Rourke, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Bean or even Jason Isaacs. Eventually, the producer and the comedian were able to reach an agreement, allowing Neeson to rest until the end of the year, or even the beginning of 2012. Meanwhile, filming was pushed back during this period.
Finally, with $376 million in revenue collected, Taken 2 was again a phenomenal success at the box office.
