For decades Douglas Vermeeren has been delighting audiences in the Independent film world. Yet it’s not often he is seen without a gun in his hand or an explosion behind him. Most often movies in the action or adventure genre are not looked upon favourably by critics. Often these kinds of films are perceived as a shallow genre without a lot of extraordinary performances. For this reason it’s not very often that the action and adventure film genre attracts a lot of award winning recognitions. Perhaps that’s what makes this event such a rare circumstance.
On March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles at the Oscar Viewing party and awards ceremony taking place at the Universal Studios Hilton things changed. Douglas Vermeeren a notable action and adventure actor was recognized with the award as Best Actor in a Feature Film. The award was granted for performances from a variety of films taking place in 2022 and 2023.
One of the notable performances came from the controversial upcoming film How To Be A Hitman 101. Although the film hasn’t been officially released to the public this project is already creating quite a controversy. Many people have come out to speak against the film How to Be A hitman 101 suggesting that the theme encourages violence. Naturally those supporting the film have their own position. They are suggesting that the film is no more violent or even less violent than many of the video games and other media directed at youth today.
Vermeeren himself has chimed in on the content of the film by suggesting that the hitman film takes a very unexpected approach. “The hitman character that I portray is not what you’d typically expect a hitman to be. The film depicts a more humanistic side of the hitman. We get to see why he does what he does and how he thinks and feels. This unique approach is one of the reasons I decided to take on this role.”
Advance previews of the film have agreed that How To Be A Hitman 101 is definitely not your cookie-cutter hitman movie. Many critics are singing its praises suggesting its a hitman movie like non-other with a never before seen perspective.
Indeed, this film is being looked at as one of the primary reasons that Vermeeren won the before mentioned Best Actor award.
Regardless of how you may feel about the movie How To Be A Hitman 101, one thing is certain: Douglas Vermeeren is a rising force to be reckoned with in the film and television industry. We will certainly be seeing a lot more of him. This year he is cast in several significant productions.
He has joined the cast to the film The Lurker playing the lead investigating police detective in a series of bizarre murders. This will be filming in Canada in early April.
As Vermeeren completes that film he will be starring in Big Cats written and directed by Chris Sanders. This will be their second film together being shot in the United Kingdom in May.
And it will definitely be a busy summer for Douglas Vermeeren as he will then immediately go to film Tenants for 13th Floor Productions in Los Angeles.
IMDb has already listed each of these films on the official site. Release dates are also listed for each of these projects is listed as premiering in 2023. It’s going to be a busy year for Douglas Vermeeren as projects continue to line up for him.
In addition to all of these significant projects rumours are swirling that he may even get a crack at bringing his best spy game to audition for the likes of James Bond. If that audition was successful he would be the first Canadian to ever play James Bond, but not the first non-English actor to do so. That honour went to George Lazenby who played the famous secret agent in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
We asked about this Vermeeren shared, “It would be a long shot. But if given the chance I think Bond needs to return to his roots of being an elegant spy but in a modern setting. I think it’s a mistake to try and compete with Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, John Wick and that gang by going head to head with them. The reality is that James Bond and EON productions invented this genre. They won’t win by becoming imitators.”
Whatever the future of James Bond looks like Vermeeren is right about the importance of James Bond returning to his roots. In this day and age of actors crossing nationalities to portray characters it would be interesting to see the spin a North American actor would have on a European character. This isn’t the first time a North American has been considered for James Bond. The most famous being most likely being Carey Grant, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Adam West or James Brolin. Some of the surprising other non-UK actors considered include Australians Mel Gibson and Andrew Clarke. It’s not far fetched to consider that it may be time for a Canadian to step into the hoes of the famed 007.
Whatever happens next for James Bond or Douglas Vermeeren one this is certain. It’s going to be one hell of a ride!
For more about Douglas Vermeeren go to www.DouglasVermeeren.com
