Ford Mustang gets lead role in 'Need for Speed'
Ford Motor Co. and DreamWorks Studios have announced a tie-up for the coming car-chase film "Need for Speed". It is the film version of Electronic Arts' cult racing game franchise. The partnership includes using Ford vehicles on screen and in a marketing package to promote both the film and the automaker.
Ford's iconic muscle-car, the Mustang, has won the coveted role of the 'hero car' with Aaron Paul all set to drive it in the movie, come March 14, 2014. Paul of "Breaking Bad" fame stars as a street racer Tobey Marshall, who seeks retribution after he is framed by a business associate. The movie involves a cross-country race, which makes room for the decked-up Mustang.
Ford will endorse the worldwide release of the film through a considerable worldwide marketing campaign that will include print and online campaigning. The film's release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Mustang, which is a month later on April 17. "We can use a movie like this to celebrate what Mustang has meant to us all these years," said Steve Ling, car group marketing manager at Ford.
Ford specially designed the Mustang GT500, equipping it with a wider body, 22-inch alloys, and larger air intakes to feed the supercharged V-8 engine under its classic twin-nostril hood. The vehicle will be in the limelight at EA's press conference in Los Angeles, as part of 'Need for Speed Rivals' during the E3 Expo.
"While our hero drives a bunch of different cars in the film, we always felt the hero car should be an iconic American car. There's nothing more perfect for him to drive than a Mustang, given that the character is from a blue collar town in upstate New York," said Patrick O'Brien, executive VP of EA Entertainment, who is co-producing 'Need for Speed' with screenwriter John Gatins and Mark Sourian.