WHAT DO WILL SMITH, ROBERT DE NIRO, TOM CRUISE AND JASON STATHAM have in common? When their celluloid lives are on the line, they trust only the brand with four rings—Audi. Like last year’s sci-fi thriller, I, Robot, Audi returns to the silver screen yet again with The Transporter 2. This time though, the car maker isn’t putting the spotlight on an ultra-advanced concept like Will Smith’s Audi RSQ, but will showcase the straight-from-the-showroom Audi A8 W12.
In the movie, UK-based actor Jason Statham plays Frank Martin, a private chauffer who happens to be an ex-special forces agent. Martin is specially hired for transporting dubious packages and other sophisticated driving jobs. Whereas the first Transporter saw the hero confronting a gang of Asian people smugglers, this time he’s hired as the personal driver of a US senator fighting against a Peruvian drug cartel.
The Transporter 2 is produced by the French outfit, EuropaCorp which is led by renowned director and producer Luc Besson—whose iconic works include Le Femme Nikita and The Fifth Element. EuropaCorp also produced the original Transporter. Behind the lens is director Louis Letterier who is helped by legendary Hong Kong martial arts chorographer Cory Yuen (X-Men, Romeo Must Die, Kiss of the Dragon) and vehicle stunt coordinator Michael Julienne (007-The Living Daylights, Femme Fetale).
Letterier and EuropaCorp approached Audi way back in 2004 believing that the Audi A8 W12 would be perfect car for Frank Martin. The movie needed something luxurious and elegant, while having high levels of dynamism and athleticism during the spectacular driving scenes. It proved a challenge also for Julienne who had to incorporate the fluidity of Yuen’s fight sequences into the dramatic car stunt scenes. Audi provided four specially built Audi A8 W12s for the various action sequences of the film.
This is not the first time a production Audi would appear in a starring role. In the John Frankheimer thriller, Ronin, Robert De Niro and Jean Reno foiled an attempt to take over the world in an Audi S8. Tom Cruise also appeared briefly in Mission Impossible: 2 dancing through the curves in an Audi TT Roadster.
The Transporter 2 will also feature several other Audis including the all-new A3 Sportback 3.2 quattro, driven by former US fashion model and this movie’s female lead, Amber Valetta as well as an ultra-rare Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster. The movie is already being shown at all cinemas and should pretty much satisfy any adrenaline junkie’s on-screen fantasy. Audi is also releasing a special microsite for the movie which can be viewed at www.audi.com/transporter2.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos Courtesy of Audi AG
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