Upcoming Spy DVDs: The Double

Upcoming Spy DVDs: The Double

The Michael Brandt/Derek Haas spy thriller The Double, starring Richard Gere, Topher Grace and Quantum of Solace's Stana Katic, received a very limited theatrical release this weekend and last (the closest theater to me is not close at all, and I'm in Los Angeles!) on its way to a DVD debut at the end of January from Image Entertainment. Image is primarily a DVD distributor, so the cursory theatrical run is really just a chance for them to garner a few reviews from top critics (like Roger Ebert's, here) and let the talent save face by saying their movie didn't go directly to DVD. But it's essentially a direct-to-DVD release, which surprises me for a film coming from the writers of 3:10 to Yuma and Wanted (as well as the as-yet-unproduced spy movies The Matarese Circle and Matt Helm), and starring name actors. Hm. I'm disappointed, because, personally, I would have paid to see this in a theater had it come anywhere nearby.

Anyway, the DVD and Blu-ray hit stores on January 29. Extras appear to be limited to a commentary with writer Haas and writer/director Brandt, producer interviews, and a reportedly spoiler-filled trailer that seems not to have been seen too much in theaters. Here's the studio's description of the film:

When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Soviet assassin code-named Cassius, who was long-thought to be dead. Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him. Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere, An Officer and a Gentleman) is a retired CIA operative who spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe. Ben Geary (Topher Grace, Spider-Man 3) is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer's every move. Ben thinks he knows Cassius, but Paul knows he is dead wrong. Now, time is running out to stop this merciless killing machine before he finds his next target. Martin Sheen (The Departed), Odette Yustman (Cloverfield) and Stana Katic (Castle) costar in this tense thriller from the co-writers of Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma that will keep you guessing until the very last shot.

Retail is $27.97 for the DVD and $29.97 for the Blu-ray, though I expect both will be discounted substantially on Amazon as we get closer to their street date.