Two more NASCAR movies in the works UPDATE 2: Britney Spears is to appear in the lead role as a racing car driver in her next film. She is all set to strap on her helmet and put the pedal to the metal in a movie about Nascar racing, the US motorsport where saloon cars race round an oval track. The pop star chose the film, her second, from a pile of offers and will start filming in October. An insider told the Sun: “There is no title yet but the film is inspired by one of Britney’s favourite movies, Days Of Thunder, which starred Tom Cruise. “Tom played a hot-tempered Nascar racer – Britney wants to race too.”(Sky News) AND Ice Cube is in negotiations to come aboard to rewrite and executive produce with Matt Alvarez through their company CubeVision the MGM comedy feature “Race” for Hyde Park Entertainment. The project, aiming for a fall start, is set to go out to actors and directors. “Race” reteams Cube with MGM, the studio for which he recently wrapped shooting the lead role in the comedy “Barbershop.” Cube will not take on acting duties in “Race.” Set on the NASCAR circuit, “Race” is a fish-out-of-water story about a cab driver who finds himself the only black participating in a stock-car race.(Sympatico-Lycos)(6-4-2002) UPDATE: The rumored Britney Spears-NASCAR project has officially been given a green light. Spears and her newly named production company, Britney Spears Prods., have closed a category-exclusive agreement with NASCAR to develop and produce a dramatic ensemble film set in the world of NASCAR. “Contact” scribe Jim Hart is currently writing the untitled screenplay that would see Spears star in the fictional story as the daughter of a successful, modern-day NASCAR team owner who uses her knowledge and experience in the family business to inspire a former NASCAR driver to return to the sport. Contrary to early reports, Spears will not play a NASCAR driver. The unique part about this deal, however, is that Spears may be sharing some screen time with the real thing. NASCAR, which is very protective of its brand and the values it has come to represent, signed the deal with BSP after the corporation and BSP principals — Spears, her manager Larry Rudolph and “Crossroads” producer Ann Carli — came to an agreement that the story line of the film would stay true to the sport and show its participants in the most authentic light. That means that, in addition to an approved story line, any scenes in the film that are meant to portray a NASCAR race or specific competitions and/or drivers will be plucked from real-life footage, giving an opportunity for the Jeff Gordons and Dale Earnhardt Jrs. of the sport to appear in the film as they compete at race events.(Hollywood Reporter – need sub or to register to read the full story)(6-17-2002) UPDATE 2: NASCAR and Britney Spears Productions (BSP), a production company formed by her co-manager Larry Rudolph, Ann Carli and Britney Spears, have signed a category exclusive agreement to develop and produce a dramatic feature film set in the world of NASCAR. The announcement was made today by NASCAR Vice President of Broadcasting Paul Brooks,. Rudolph and Carli. The untitled project, currently in the preliminary writing and development stage, will be written by Jim Hart (Contact, Hook). The film will tell the fictional story of the daughter of a successful, modern day NASCAR team owner and will include opportunities to feature real NASCAR drivers, teams, tracks and competition. The film will give an authentic portrayal of the heart and family spirit of NASCAR and Spears is slated to co-star as a young character that uses her knowledge and experience in the family business to inspire a former NASCAR driver to regain his desire to return to NASCAR racing. Spears will not portray a NASCAR driver. This is the first feature under the joint venture. Spears’ previous involvement with NASCAR, as the Grand Marshal for the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona, was extremely positive for NASCAR as it created exposure for the sport within the music and entertainment industry and media.(NASCAR PR)(6-18-2002)
