Hola Dannie aqui!
Got this rapid report on the new film in the "Death Race" series. The original with Sly Stallone and the belated David Carradine is a fun ride that my family and I always joke about while in the car, yes we all have a slightly twisted sense of humor, and personally it has helped us laugh and smile through both light and dark times throughout our strange existence.
The new film is titled "Death Race: Beyond Anarchy" it is set for release some time in 2018. The project is being directed by Don Michael Paul who has directed "Half Past Dead" from 2002, "Tremors 5 and 6" and "Sniper: Ghost Shooter" from 2016 and is currently in pre-production on "The Scorpion King:Book of Souls". The all knowing IMDB has "Death Race: Beyond Anarchy" marked as filming being completed.
Now for casting, up front they have Zach McGowan playing the role of Conner, who you may remember from the television series "Shameless" and "Agent's of Shield" as Anton Ivanov. The next actor you may recognize from their work in the "Death Race" film from 2008, he is returning again as the character that shares his namesake, Frederick Koehler.
Also to everyone's delight Danny Glover is cast as the character Baltimore Bob. Yes, that Danny Glover, the character Easy Money from "A Rage In Harlem", the overbearing 6'4" brute that Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) said "I curse you. Until you do right by me everything you think about is gonna crumble!" from the film that I first saw in Wichita Falls Texas at the mall named Sikes Center when I was 4 with my Mother and Brother "The Color Purple" a fucking timeless masterpiece. Then there is the insanely popular "Lethal Weapon" film series which everyone knows him from, the first of the series being my favorite.
Now we have the badass we all know and love Danny Trejo, whom I first met while roaming in the halls at Lanier High School. He was visiting local schools in Austin Texas to give Gang Prevention Speeches. I ran into him between classes at the vending machines and exclaimed "Desperado!" (so this must have been between 95-96 as graduated in 1998 and decided to walk the stage in 99').
His response was amazing, a shy flattered smile that lit up his face. I am a shy person... however, my time at conventions across America had trained me to know, most "character actors" are extremely cool, so I approached him in FULL geekette mode!
I exclaimed again "What are you doing in my High School is there some special assembly?!?"
He responded in a kind voice " Yes, I am here to talk about gang violence, addiction and the importance of education to some at risk youth."
I replied with "I am a Punk do I count?"
Trejo then said " That is a lifestyle not a gang."
My rebuttal cracked him up when I said "Isn't it called a Gang or Gangster lifestyle?"
He responded with a gregarious chuckle, then asked "How many times you been arrested?"
I sadly reported "None." Knowing, I would miss his speech. I asked if I could shake his hand, then I asked for a hug, and got both. I met Danny Trejo before my brother, it's a fun fact. Here is a video of a bit of Trejo's true badassery, he is an exceptional human being. Watch please, he is even cooler in reality than any Rodriguez character!
Anywhoo, I have yet to talk about the first film I ever saw him in "Runaway Train" another film I first saw at just a mere four years old in 1985 with my Mom and Bro, however I mainly remember watching it countless times on video, and Harry, my Mom, and my Dad always saying to me throughout childhood and life....
" You don't know whatcha' can do, and can't"- Manny (Jon Voight's character from "Runaway Train")
Yes this was a motivating line quoted throughout my childhood, and it was not until many years later, that I could truly love and investigate this film, much much later.
I found out one of the ultimate master's of cinema the GREAT Akira Kurosawa was the main voice behind the story and credited as a screen writer for the film. Also as this was illuminated to me I discovered Danny Trejo had been hired to train Eric Roberts how to box, him (Trejo) being a champion boxer from the inside, this was perfect. In training Roberts, Danny Trejo caught the eye of the director (Andrey Konchalovskiy) and was the clear choice as the opposing boxer in the ring with Eric Roberts, as the role entitled Boxer.
It was many years later that he in my mind, Danny Trejo was concreted in my brain as the character Navajas from the film "Desperado" the knife throwing icon. This is why I exclaimed through my high school hallways, and have followed his career through good and bad films, Danny is always a shining light. As you can tell I personally can not get enough Danny time! :)
I have nothing but love, obviously for Glover and Trejo. However, if this movie sucks total donkey dong, like some of the "reboots" I blame others....
Please give us a trailer soon, and please make this the best of a beloved but B-rated series of films!
Stay Strong, Live Good, Love Movies!
Dannie aka Pekosa Peligrosa aka Calamity Jane aka Siter Satan
