As I prepare to wrap up the marketing on the latest installment of one of the most popular and successful movie franchises, I am taken back to the year 2000.
It was Tuesday, March 28, and I was on my way to the airport to meet Paul Walker, who was coming to Dallas to promote the Universal Pictures’ drama,
SKULLS. That same evening, Fort Worth was hit by a tornado that devastated downtown and affected the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The press day with Paul was shortened due to the unavailability of TV crews and journalists who had been reassigned to cover the disaster. This gave Paul a lot of down time and we talked about what was next for him. He mentioned a project about illegal street racing and how he was having fun doing the ‘acting thing.’ He was sweet, affable … and concerned about the people hurt in the tornados. (Paul later founded the charity
Reach Out Worldwide (
ROWW) an organization providing relief efforts for areas affected by natural disasters.)
In September of that same year, I went to a studio field meeting where we met Rob Cohen, the director of an upcoming movie about an unsanctioned form of auto racing. Mr. Cohen shared with us that his new film was inspired by a magazine article called
Racer X. The new film would focus on this underground sub-culture with amped-up street cars and mind-blowing stunts. He talked about his exciting young cast and I recalled my tour with Paul Walker.
The first screening on May 23, 2001 was standing room only. And as we sat on the floor at the back of the theater, you could feel the vibration of the engines as the modified imports pulled up to the line. You could hear the audience gasp as they popped the clutch and started a burn-out. And just like that, it was off to the races,
a quarter mile at a time in
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS … and the beginning of one of the most successful movie franchises ever!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years and seven adrenaline-pumping films later. With each action-driven story, I have anticipated the one standout stunt that leaves me holding my breath.
And as evidenced by this global box office juggernaut, I’m not alone. The six films have amassed over 2 billion dollars worldwide.
As April 3rd approaches, it’s very bittersweet. I have seen
Furious 7 – the stunts are astounding, the locations breathtaking and the tribute to Paul is everything!
www.furious7.com
