Mind-Blowing Revelation: City Primeval's Hidden Connection to This Unexpected 1998 Masterpiece!
Discover the hidden connections between Justified: City Primeval and a 1998 movie, as the Elmore Leonard Shared Universe expands to include Jackie Brown Uncover the intriguing character links in this thrilling sequel that will captivate fans
Warning: Spoilers below for Justified: City Primeval episode 2!
Summary
City Primeval establishes its link to a George Clooney crime thriller with an impactful cameo, while Timothy Olyphant's performance as Raylan in Justified surpasses that of James LeGros in the 1997 TV movie.
Raymond Cruz's appearance in Justified serves as a connection to other Elmore Leonard adaptations, such as Out of Sight and Jackie Brown.
In the blink of an eye, there is a subtle cameo in Justified: City Primeval that confirms it takes place in the same universe as the renowned George Clooney crime thriller. Despite Timothy Olyphant's portrayal of Raylan Givens becoming iconic in Justified, he was not the first actor to bring the character to life. That distinction belongs to James LeGros, known for his role in Point Break, who played Raylan in the 1997 TV movie Pronto, which was based on Elmore Leonard's novel of the same name. While LeGros is a talented actor - even having a recurring role in Justified years later - it is safe to say that Olyphant left a much greater impact as Raylan.
1 Character Links Justified: City Primeval To Out Of Sight
: Raylan Olyphant embodies the essence of the charismatic cowboy from Leonard's books, right down to his relaxed demeanor and iconic cowboy hat. Justified: City Primeval reintroduces this beloved character, eight years after the thrilling conclusion of the Justified series, as he embarks on a new case set in the gritty streets of Detroit. Raylan's path crosses with Clement Mansell (portrayed by Boyd Holbrook), a ruthless killer who becomes Raylan's personal adversary. Determined to bring him to justice, Raylan's mission unfolds against the backdrop of Leonard's novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, where Givens was absent.
Raymond Cruz, a Detroit detective, takes on the role of the protagonist in the novel. As a nod to his character, Cruz makes a brief appearance in a flashback during the second episode of Justified: City Primeval titled "The Oklahoma Wildman," where Mansell's arrest takes place. Portrayed by the experienced character actor Paul Calderon, known for his role in Pulp Fiction, Cruz also played the same character in the 1998 thriller Out of Sight, alongside George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.
Out of Sight once again adapted a novel by Leonard under the same title, and although it didn't initially become a major hit, it received commendation from critics. This film was also instrumental in aiding Clooney's transition from television to the realm of movie stardom. While Calderon's Cruz makes a brief and memorable appearance, it is no coincidence that he was chosen for the role. Therefore, it can be inferred that Justified and Out of Sight coexist within the same fictional universe. However, it is unlikely that viewers should anticipate the inclusion of Clooney's character Jack Foley or Lopez's character Karen Sisco in future episodes.
The Elmore Leonard Shared Universe Extends To Jackie Brown
The reappearance of Cruz in Justified: City Primeval serves as a connection to a broader universe of Elmore Leonard adaptations. Quentin Tarantino, a devoted fan of Leonard's work, had once contemplated directing an episode of the show's revival. Furthermore, Tarantino successfully transformed Leonard's novel, Rum Punch, into the film Jackie Brown during the late '90s. Within this crime thriller, Michael Keaton portrayed ATF Agent Ray Nicolette, who later made a cameo appearance as Ray in the film Out of Sight. Ray's character is involved in a romantic relationship with Lopez's character, Sisco. Consequently, Cruz's surprise appearance in Justified: City Primeval subtly ties the series to both Out of Sight and Jackie Brown.
