Deadly government operatives aren’t always clean-cut, smooth-talking fountains of cool. In American Ultra, the new film penned by Chronicle writer Max Landis, one of the most dangerous secret agents around can be a long-haired stoner who works at a convenience store.
In the first (Red-Band, NSFW) trailer for Lionsgate Films’ American Ultra, we’re introduced to a slacker played by Jesse Eisenberg whose life is forever changed when he is “activated” by a government agent and discovers that he is actually a lethal sleeper agent with an array of impressive skills that were suppressed years ago. He’s soon forced to use his super-spy skills to stay alive and protect his girlfriend Phoebe (Kristen Stewart) as the pair become swept up in the machinations of the secret government agency that trained him.
The debut trailer for American Ultra features quite a bit of action, explosions, and an impressive mix of stoner humor and comedy that pokes fun at the conventions of the lethal secret-agent genre currently dominated by the likes of James Bond and Jason Bourne. It also reunites Adventureland costars Eisenberg and Stewart in a decidedly different style of film — particularly for Eisenberg, who appears to be adding “action hero” to his resume.
Along with Eisenberg and Stewart, the film stars Topher Grace (That ’70s Show), Bill Pullman (Independence Day), John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge), Connie Britton (American Horror Story), Walton Goggins (Django Unchained), and Tony Hale (Arrested Development). Monique Ganderton (The Hunted) and Lavell Crawford (Breaking Bad) also play supporting roles.
American Ultra is directed by Nima Nourizadeh, whose only previous film was the 2012 party movie Project X. It’s the second film to hit theaters based on a script by Landis, who received quite a bit of positive attention after penning the screenplay for the 2012 found-footage superhero movie Chronicle.
American Ultra is scheduled to hit theaters August 21.
