Following its release last year,The Day of the Jackalbecame a huge hit among spy thriller fans, but it has one huge difference that separates it from its source material. Eddie Redmayne leadsThe Day of the Jackal’s castas the Jackal, alongside Lashana Lynch as Bianca Pullman, an original character.
The addition of Bianca Pullman is one of thechanges thatThe Day of the Jackalmakesto the 1971 book and the 1973 film, though this is not the only difference. Given thatThe Day of the Jackalwill be back for season 2, the show’s creator chose to make a far greater change, completely altering the Jackal’s story.
The Jackal Lived To Fight Another Day (Or Another Season)
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The biggest change thatThe Day of the Jackal(2024) made to the titular character’s story is quite simply that he survives the ending.The Day of the Jackal’s season 1 endingsees the Jackal escape capture, and he kills Bianca Pullman in the process, making him the only version of the character to do so.
In Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel, the Jackal is hired by a French far-right group to kill Charles de Gaulle and is tracked by Claude Lebel. Eventually, Lebel catches up to the Jackal and shoots him before he completes his mission. The 1973 movie also ends in the same way.
This is a huge change for the TV series, but a necessary one because it allows the show to move forward with season 2. The death of the supposedly good character and triumph of the assassin also allow the series to grapple with the moral ambiguities of both characters in a fascinating way.
Redmayne’s Character Fits In An Advanced 21st Century Version Of The Story
Part of what allows Eddie Redmayne’s version of the Jackal to succeed where previous versions of the character have been killed is that the show also gives him some modern updates. The show takes advantage of 21st-century technology, which is a necessary update to bring the story into a modern context.
Understandably, the Jackal is more skilled at using this technology, but he is also better at crafting disguises and evading Bianca and her team in more creative ways. Particularly when it comes to his disguises, his use of modern technology, makeup, and prosthetics sets 2024’s Jackal apart from his previous iterations.
The Day of the Jackal’s updated version of its main character creates a spy who feels more expansive and complex than earlier versions. The 1970s versions of the Jackal feel more like a typical Cold War-era spy, but Redmayne’s 2024 Jackal feels much more unexpected and fresh, and perhaps that is what makes the new ending work.
The Day of the Jackal
Cast
In this gripping thriller, an elusive assassin known as the Jackal orchestrates high-stakes hits for exorbitant fees, only to confront a determined British intelligence officer. Their tense pursuit unfolds across Europe, blending intense action with strategic maneuvers in a relentless cat-and-mouse chase.
