Ex-007 Pierce Bronson plays the washed up hit man, Julian Noble, in Richard Shepard's new dark comedy, The Matador, which opens nation wide Jan. 27.

Richard Shepard not only receives credit as The Matador's director, but also as the film's scriptwriter. His previous works include indie films such as, Oxygen, Mercy, and The Linguini Incident.

The major buzz surrounding the film lays in the comedic alchemy of duo Pierce Bronson and Greg Kinnear.

Critics, such as Jeffery M. Anderson of Combustible Celluloid, are saying, "Movie fans have seen any number of stories about hit men, but it's a pretty good bet that even the most jaded of cynics will be unable to detect just where The Matador is going.

In The Matador, the drunken tail chaser, Julian Noble (Pierce Bronson), meets the Denver suburbanite, Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), while on business in Mexico and the two become friends.

It turns out that Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) is now married to Julian Noble's (Pierce Bronson) high school sweetheart, Bean (Hope Davis).

One day, while at a bull fight, Julian reveals his profession to Danny and asks him to join him on his next assignment.

After Danny stoutly refuses Julian's offer, he tries to end the friendship. Despite Danny's belief that matter is settled, this is not the end of it.

Be on the look out for The Matador soundtrack, which features the music of Tom Jones, the Jam, the Killers, and the Cramps.