PHOEBE GALLAGHER
Despite suggestions some unknown Aussie actors were being tried out for the lead role, “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul has snagged the lead role in DreamWorks’ “Need for Speed”.
Paul, also in the acclaimed new film “Smashed”, was announced this morning as the film’s headline act by the studio.
“We are huge fans of Aaron’s and his stellar work on ‘Breaking Bad.’ We couldn’t be more excited to have him headline our cast for ‘Need for Speed,'” said Holly Bario, President of Production, DreamWorks Studios.
“Need for Speed is one of the most action-packed entertainment experiences you can find,” said Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President, Electronic Arts.
“The newest game, ‘Need for Speed Most Wanted’ and the upcoming film take the action to all new heights. Like the game series itself, the cast for the movie needs to be edgy and cool. Aaron Paul is a rising star — a great choice for the film lead. We’re looking forward to announcing the rest of the actors that will bring this racing franchise to the big screen.”
Aaron Paul is a two-time Emmy winner for his breakthrough performance on the television series “Breaking Bad.” Paul’s other credits include “Smashed,” “The Last House on the Left,” “Mission: Impossible III,” and HBO’s “Big Love.”
DreamWorks acquired the feature film rights to EA’s popular video game franchise earlier this year. George Gatins and John Gatins developed the original story with George writing the feature’s screenplay. The screenplay is based on the “Need for Speed” series, but is not based on an individual game. John Gatins, Mark Sourian and EA’s Patrick O’Brien will produce.
The film adaptation will be a fast-paced, high-octane film rooted in the tradition of the great car culture films of the 70s while being extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game franchise. In “Need for Speed,” the cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story keeps players at the edge of their seat.
“Need for Speed” is one of the biggest and most successful franchises in the video game industry, having sold more than 150 million units worldwide and generating an estimated $4 billion in revenue. The next blockbuster release in the series is “Need for Speed Most Wanted” – the most socially-connected game of this generation, launching October 30, 2012.
