A Walk Among The Tombstones
Liam Neeson is back on the big screen this week as he leads a great cast in A Walk Among The Tombstones; an adaptation of the novel by Lawrence Block.
Over the years, Neeson has been a bankable star, whether he has been in an action role, blockbuster, or taking on a dramatic project.
We take a look at some of the actor's biggest box office success over the years.
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - $1,027 billion
There was huge excitement back in 1999, when the Star Wars franchise returned to the big screen for a new generation.
The movie was set prior to the original trilogy, and saw Neeson take on the role of Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn: who believes the force is strong in young boy Anakin Skywalker.
Directed by George Lucas, The Phantom Menace was one of the most anticipated films of the nineties... and it enjoyed huge box office success.
The movie grossed over $924.3 million by the end of its first theatrical role. The movie has since been re-released, and has broken the $1 billion barrier. The Phantom Menace is currently the sixteenth highest grossing film of all time.
- Taken Franchise - Over $600million
The direction of Neeson's career did take a different direction in 2008, as he became a bona fide action star with Taken.
Taken saw Neeson take on the role of retired CIA agent Bryan Mills for the first time. He tracks down those who have kidnapped his daughter in Paris... kicking some ass along the way.
Taken was one of the sleeper hits of 2008, and a brand new franchise was born. The movie grossed over $226 million, and it wasn't long before a sequel was announced.
Neeson reprised the role of Mills in 2012, and the film enjoyed even more box office success; it grossed over $376 million. A third film is set for release next year, which will see Mills falsely accused of murder.
- Clash of the Titans - $493,2 million
Clash of the Titans got a makeover in 2010, as Louis Leterrier brought the story of Perseus back to the big screen.
Neeson was on board as Zeus, who sets his mortal son on a quest to battle the minions of the underworld.
Neeson was part of an all-star cast, as Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, and Ralph Fiennes were some some of the names on board.
Clash of the Titans was perhaps not the biggest hit critically, but it performed solidly at the box office, as it grossed over $493 million.
Wrath of the Titans would follow two years later and see Neeson reprise the role of Zeus.
- The Lego Movie - $468.1 million
Neeson lent his voice to The Lego Movie earlier this year, in what was one of the biggest hits at the beginning of 2014.
The movie saw Phil Lord and Christopher Miller reunite in the director's chair, while Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, and Morgan Freeman all joined Neeson in lending their voices to the film.
Neeson brought the character of good cop/bad cop to life: a character with a two-sided head and a split personality.
As well as enjoying box office success, The Lego Movie was also a critical hit. It went on to gross over $468 million worldwide and a sequel is now in the pipeline.
- Batman Begins - $374.2 million
Christopher Nolan brought Batman back to the big screen in 2005, with Batman Begins. Christian Bale was in the title role as Nolan took us back to the beginning of the Batman story.
Neeson took on the role of Henri Ducard, who is a member of the League of Shadows, and meets Bruce Wayne after he leaves Gotham City for several years.
Ducard trains Wayne in the hope that he will join the league... it is later revealed that Ducard is leader of the league Ra's al Ghul, and is the movie's villain.
Batman Begins was a rather modest success when you look at how well The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises performed, but it was the movie that really kick started the franchise.
Neeson would make a small appearance in The Dark Knight Rises, which went on to gross over $1 billion at the box office and be the most successful film in the trilogy.
- Schindler’s List - $321 million
Away from the blockbusters and the action films, Schindler’s List is the movie for which Neeson is remembered, as it is a terrific piece of work by all involved.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, who fought to save as many of his Jewish workforce during the Second World War.
Neeson took on the role of Oskar Schindler in the film, in what was a stunning performance from the actor. Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley were also on the cast list.
Schindler’s List secured Neeson his one and only Best Actor Oscar nomination; losing out to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia.
Schindler’s List is one of the most relevant and powerful movies ever made, and is widely regarded as Spielberg's best work.
A Walk Among The Tombstones is released 19th September.
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