Taken: What Happened?

Liam Neeson. A name now synonymous with grizzled, action-hero roles. But sixteen years ago, this wasn’t the case. Before his reign as the unlikely action star began, Neeson was primarily known for his dramatic roles, a respected character actor with limited box-office appeal. The transformation? A low-budget, European-financed action thriller that almost went straight to video: *Taken*.

The film’s origins lie in the late 1990s, with Luc Besson riding high on the international success of *The Fifth Element*. Recognizing a global appetite for American-style action films produced with a European sensibility, Besson’s EuropaCorp began funding modestly budgeted action movies. Employing a formula of Besson-penned scripts (often with co-writers) and French directors, the company found success with films like *Taxi*. This success led to a deal with 20th Century Fox, resulting in English-language action films featuring lower-tier stars and modest budgets. *Kiss of the Dragon* (Jet Li) and *The Transporter* (Jason Statham) proved profitable, capitalizing on the actors’ relatively low salaries at the time.

Besson’s next ambition was to launch another action star. His concept: a retired special forces agent rescuing his daughter from human traffickers. Initially envisioned for Jeff Bridges, the role ultimately went to Liam Neeson. While Neeson had a successful career, including roles in *Batman Begins* and *Schindler’s List*, he wasn’t considered a box-office draw for action films. He accepted the *Taken* role partly for the physical challenge, spending months in France mastering karate.

*Taken*’s success stemmed from several factors. Neeson’s casting was unconventional; his imposing stature and boxing experience contrasted with his established image, creating an element of surprise. The film’s premise—a parent’s desperate attempt to rescue their child from human traffickers—resonated deeply with audiences. The well-constructed narrative cleverly reveals Neeson’s character’s full capabilities gradually, building suspense and culminating in thrilling action sequences.

Despite its eventual triumph, *Taken* almost never saw a North American theatrical release. Its European debut in February 2008 was followed by a significant delay in its North American release, with a DVD release seemingly imminent. However, the film’s trailer, brilliantly showcasing Neeson’s “special skills,” generated significant buzz. Released on Super Bowl weekend 2009, *Taken* defied expectations, becoming a word-of-mouth hit and solidifying Neeson’s status as an action star. The film’s success spawned sequels and similar action thrillers, establishing a trend of older action heroes and proving that profitable action films could be made with relatively modest budgets.

Even more than a decade later, Neeson continues to star in action thrillers, demonstrating the enduring impact of *Taken*. While others have attempted to replicate his success, none have achieved quite the same level of audience appeal. Ultimately, *Taken*’s success was a confluence of a strong premise, unconventional casting, and a well-executed marketing campaign that tapped into a latent desire for a different type of action hero.