Liam Neeson’s career took a significant turn with the release of ‘Taken,’ an action thriller that showcased his talents at age 56. Portraying Bryan Mills, a father with secret agent skills, Neeson navigates a dangerous underworld to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Originally intended for Jeff Bridges, ‘Taken’ became a box office success, leading to two sequels and establishing Neeson as a leading action star. He plans to retire from physical roles by 2025, emphasizing authenticity in his performances.
Liam Neeson: A Career Transformed by ‘Taken’
Sometimes, a single film can redefine the trajectory of an actor’s career, and for Liam Neeson, ‘Taken’ was that pivotal moment. Before this action-packed thriller, Neeson had already built a solid reputation, starring in notable films such as ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,’ ‘Batman Begins,’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Schindler’s List,’ which even earned him an Oscar nomination.
‘Taken’ emerged as a significant turning point in Neeson’s professional life, propelling him into the spotlight of action cinema at the age of 56. In this gripping feature, produced and co-written by Luc Besson, Neeson portrays Bryan Mills, a devoted father with a past as a secret agent, who possesses a unique set of skills.
The Impact of ‘Taken’ and Its Legacy
The narrative follows Mills as he races against time to rescue his daughter, who has been abducted during a trip to Paris. As a relentless force, he navigates through the dangerous world of the Albanian mafia, employing any means necessary to track down those responsible for his daughter’s kidnapping.
While ‘Taken’ has undeniably become one of Neeson’s most celebrated roles, it’s interesting to note that he was not the first choice for the part. Initially, the role of Bryan Mills was meant for Jeff Bridges, who ultimately stepped back due to the physicality required for the character.
Upon its release, ‘Taken’ was a massive hit in French theaters, attracting over a million viewers and raking in more than 227 million dollars globally, all from a modest budget of just 25 million dollars. This overwhelming success led to the creation of two sequels, solidifying Neeson’s reputation as a leading action star.
In the years following ‘Taken,’ Neeson has focused primarily on action films, tackling a variety of roles that range from hostage rescues on airplanes to revenge-driven plots. Despite the mixed quality of these projects, this phase has proven financially rewarding, with his salary soaring to 20 million dollars per film; the ‘Taken’ trilogy alone netted him at least 40 million dollars.
Looking ahead, Neeson has announced plans to retire from physical action films by 2025, expressing a desire to remain true to his audience by avoiding the use of stunt doubles. In a candid interview with a major publication, he revealed that the runaway success of ‘Taken’ was unexpected: ‘I didn’t really think about making action films. I thought it would be a nice TV movie to shoot with stuntmen, but it never posed a problem for me.’
Fans of the ‘Taken’ trilogy should note that it will be leaving the Netflix catalog on December 4th. Be sure to check out the current lineup of films available on the platform!