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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Jason Statham in Death Race

by Alex Billington
December 27, 2007

I'm not too excited to be posting this, but I'll give it a chance, just like I gave Aliens vs Predator: Requiem a chance after the first AVP was horrible. Death Race is a remake of the 1975 cult classic Death Race 2000. In the original, David Carradine races in a futuristic brutal cross-country car race where pedestrians are run down for points. In the remake, Jason Statham stars as Jensen Ames, and it's directed by Paul W.S. Anderson of Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, and the first AVP. The remake is described as "an action-thriller set in the post-industrial wasteland of tomorrow." Excited? Me neither.

Jason Statham in Death Race

Jason Statham leads the cast of an action-thriller set in the post-industrial wasteland of tomorrow, with the world's most brutal sporting event as its backdrop. A penitentiary full of felons has inspired the jailers to create a grisly pastime ripe for lucrative kickbacks. Now, adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for televised violence and a spectacular arena come together to form the Death Race.

Three-time speedway champion Jensen Ames (Statham) is an expert at survival in the harsh landscape that has become our country. Just as he thinks he has turned his life around, the ex-con is framed for a gruesome murder he didn't commit. Forced to don the mask of the mythical driver Frankenstein—a crowd favorite who seems impossible to kill—Ames is given an easy choice by Terminal Island's warden (Joan Allen): suit up or rot away in a cell.

His face hidden by a metallic mask, one convict will be put through an insane three-day challenge. Ames must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in the country's toughest prison to claim the prize of freedom. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, one desperate man will destroy anything in his path to win the most twisted spectator sport on Earth.

Death Race arrives in theaters on August 22nd, 2008. Here's a bit of nostalgia for those of you who love this cult classic.

Filed under First Look, Hype

From around the web:

http://www.virgored.com Chris

Any idea if the original had gave any inspiration to the fantastic video game franchise Carmageddon?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

I'm sure it did but you'd have to ask the makers of Carmageddon... but I'm sure this and Mad Max and films like that were inspiration for games like Carmageddon and Grand Theft Auto.
Stephen

Wonder how gory they will make it. How was AVP-R Alex? Or you gonna post a review?
REAL6

Sorry my spelling sucks, i was excited I'm sorry but any movie that Paul "Worthless Shit" Anderson directs id gonna fucking suck and fail!!! How the fuck does this guy get jobs? I'd almost rather see Uwe Bol Direct this!!! But ill go see it cause Jason Statham is in it!!!! CANT WAIT FOR CRANK 2!!! wUUUUUUUUUUUU HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
rico

jason statham, futuristic wasteland environment........death racing...... whats not to like??
http://www.completegeek.net Complete Geek

Jason Statham is the man! He has definitely made up for acting like such a wuss in Snatch. Crank 2 baby! yeah!
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

What's not to like is that Paul W.S. Anderson is directing... Although a few of his movies are guilty pleasures, for the most part I'm not too confident in him. Sure Jason Statham is badass, but he's sort of rotating his way through the WORST directors ever. Uwe Boll with Dungeon Siege and now Paul WS Anderson with Death Race...
Cant tell

hey you guys are all wrong.... i was on the set when they shoot this movie. it gived me job for 15 weeks. and i want to specify that it is'nt a remake of death race 2000. the movie gonna be in futuristique track....... yea but a futur like we never saw befor. the car are so woww the wepon, and all stuff. so before talk shit about some thing, take information . sorry my english suck. and finally for the one how ask.. the production is Carmmageddon films and paul ws anderson did'nt directed the 2nd unit shot ( explosions, race...all the race, helicopter shot) he was only in the green screen. so... september 2008 !!!!!
Chris

Um... what was that "Cant tell"?
Ripper

I am pretty sure this will be decent. What Death Race inspired by the way ( this was killing me reading the posts) was Twisted Metal. Which is what this sounds like...to even a more direct relavence. Twisted Metal Black all the players come from a Loony Bin. Pretty uch same concept. I will most lkey go see it. I need a trailer though.
Angel G

Well, Jason isn't exactly a great actor. Would make a great terminator. The more silent he is the better he is. Just kill and blow things up Angel G
Dallas

Yeah Cant tell what the h***? I'll probably watch this movie but if I take anything from your post it's that this movie is guilty by association.
Monya

bared_beirut@... Nice movie
Jennifer Jade

I watched Death Race recently and I thoroughly enjoyed it. :] I mean, the plot is interesting - His choices are: Rot in jail, win his freedom, or die trying - I suppose. Hot guys. Hot girls. Monster cars with machine guns. What's not to like? ;] It was pretty half decent I think. I'd watch it again. And Jason Statham is mega handsome in this movie. x] Especially the scene right before Stage 2 when he's doing the pull ups. xQ Oh and Natalie Martinez. She's pretty sexy too. :Q But yeah. Point is, I thought it was a good movie. !!!CRANK 2.................................. xD
http://www.rebeccasite.com Rebecca

Oh and BTW, Jennifer Jade, Savage Vergil appears in this movie. If you want to see what he looks like, go here: http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1455/deathrace2008characthermg6.png
Jason Statham

Death Race Awesome Movie
Natalie Martinez

Bring on Death Race 2
Hannah

Hannah Hodgsen likes Josh Gorves
Hannah

Hannah and tim