Now here’s a quote that’ll get diehard fans speculating. In previous segments of this podcast special, Chris McQuarrie emphasized the importance of watching practically every frame of “Dead Reckoning” with utmost attention — not just to spot his illusive on-screen cameo (separate from his much more prominent voice cameo, mind you) or one particular scene where the enigmatic and villainous Entity makes an early and unheralded appearance, but mostly to crack the secret casting reveal for “Part Two” that’s included somewhere within “Part One.” Maddening, right? McQuarrie agrees, which is why he all but cackles with glee over the fact that few fans have ever even noticed this.
At just before the one-hour mark of the podcast, McQuarrie goes long on a question about why Ving Rhames’ Luther Stickell abruptly exits the picture by the third act of the film. While clarifying that he was honoring the actor’s personal request to only film on UK soundstages, the director further explained that this necessitated reshooting segments of the upcoming sequel during reshoots for “Part One.” Confusing, right? Well, that’s nothing compared to the bombshell he goes on to drop: This unusual process also applied to a mystery actor who, currently, plays a bigger role in “Part Two” … but ever-so-briefly appears in “Part One.” He teased:
“People still haven’t picked up on it. It’s right there in front of you. You’re so busy truffling for Easter eggs … there’s one right on-screen, right in front of you, and maybe two people have picked up on it. And it’s a f***ing casting announcement and it’s in the movie. In the movie, right on-screen!”
As for who this could be and what role, your guess is as good as mine.