Bruce Willis’ Forgotten ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Remake Is a Free Streaming Success

After Edward Fox, and before Eddie Redmayne, Bruce Willis was the Jackal. And now, his eponymous thriller is a free streaming hit. 1997’s The Jackal is currently #5 on free, ad-supported streamer Tubi’s top ten movies. The film is loosely based on The Day of the Jackal, Frederick Forsyth‘s hit 1971 political thriller novel about an assassin known only as the Jackal and his attempt to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. It was adapted into an acclaimed film in 1973, directed by Fred Zimmerman (High Noon).

The 1997 film was originally set to be titled The Day of the Jackal, as well, but Zimmerman and Forsyth sued the production to prevent them from using that title. The matter was eventually settled after the movie was retitled, and its credits only note that the film was “inspired by” Forsyth’s novel. The film was directed by Michael Caton-Jones (This Boy’s Life) from a script by Chuck Pfarrer (Darkman). Coincidentally, 1997 also saw the release of The Assignment, a thriller film about a plot to assassinate the real-life international terrorist Carlos the Jackal, who earned his nickname when a copy of the novel The Day of the Jackal was reportedly spotted in one of Carlos’ hideouts.

What Is ‘The Jackal’ About?

When his brother is killed by the FBI, Azerbaijani gangster Terek Murad (David Hayman, Andor) swears vengeance on the United States, and contracts the international assassin and master of disguise known only as the Jackal (Willis, in a rare villainous role) to kill the First Lady (Tess Harper, Tender Mercies). Getting wind of the plot, FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier, in one of his last roles) and Russian police officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora, Heat) seek the aid of imprisoned IRA fighter Declan Joseph Mulqueen (Richard Gere), whose ex-lover, Basque mercenary Isabella Zancona (Mathilda May, Lifeforce), once knew the Jackal. Meanwhile, the Jackal, armed with a high-tech weapon designed by Ian Lamont (Jack Black), is zeroing in on his target. Can he be stopped before he achieves his ultimate goal?

The Jackal received mixed reviews from critics, but was a hit at the box office, earning nearly $160 million USD on a $60 million budget. The Day of the Jackal would be adapted again as a TV series for Peacock, starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch; hailed by critics, it has been renewed for a second season.

Bruce Willis’ The Jackal is now streaming on Tubi. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.