There are a bunch of cool racing movies that are in the production pipe coming from Hollywood. Between the move about Caswell, the James Hunt picture, and the 1966 24 Hours of LeMans based Go Like Hell, we are in for some cinematic treats in the not too distant future. Drag racing fans will rejoice when they learn that a biopic about the lives and careers of Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen got the green light and the two lead actors have been named. The men have been spending time with the real life versions of the characters they are set to play and we can only imagine the stories that have been flowing. If done right, and we believe it will be done right with Snake and Mongoose aboard in the role of executive producers, this movie should really kick some ass.
The story is great on so many levels, not just the racing. The men themselves were perfect foils for one another with Prudhomme hell bent on running his car harder and faster than anyone in the world and McEwen loving the racing and fame that came from being half of the most highly promoted pair in drag racing. When these two guys bagged Mattel in the 1960s it was a coup of epic proportions. As we all know, this was the first real-deal non-automotive corporate sponsorship in drag racing and undoubtedly lit the wick for how the sport evolved with the backing of big corporations and companies. You may see that as a good thing or a bad thing, but the reality is that is started with these guys and this deal.
We’ll keep you posted on any updates or time lines as the production gets rolling, but we have every possible digit crossed in the hopes that this movie will be really good and will show the people and the era in the sport the way it deserves to be shown. These were two of the most famous men in America at their height and more kids had their Hot Wheels cars running down imaginary living room strips than anyone before or since.
Link: Lead actors names in Snake and Mongoose movie
Very exciting stuff!
Hey, speaking of drag racing legends, eBay Motors is doing a live chat today with Don Garlits (!) @ 3pm EST. Here the addy: http://ebaymotors.bumebox.com/
hell yes.
Er, no.
What we really need is the biopic on “Big Willie” Robinson and the Brotherhood of Street Racers.
Here’s hoping the ’66 Le Mans film is even better than Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans.” There’s plenty of drama in the story . . . Ford versus Ferrari . . . Ken Miles getting hosed out of the first endurance “racing triple” crown (Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans) by an alleged misinterpretation of an arcane “distance” rule. . . . The famous (or infamous) photo finish.
Why McQueen didn’t film that compelling story is an enduring mystery.
Will Hollywood screw this up? Past performance suggests that yes, they will. The first mention of “noss” in the movie and I’m walking out.