In case you weren’t aware from the first-look footage, the trailer or the various images already doing laps around the web, Electronic Arts game adaptation Need For Speed features a lot of driving. In an attempt to make it that much more visceral, director Scott Waugh had star Aaron Paul do as much of the wheel-wrangling as possible. That means lots of practice, something that can be seen in the video below.
Under the watchful eye of his instructor – who seems confident that the man formerly known as Jesse Pinkman was born with the right stuff to handle stunts – Paul practices slides, skids, and, most importantly, stopping before hitting some poor cameraman.
How much of his hard work will be in the finished film remains to be seen, especially in an era when so much can be accomplished with effects, but it’s nice to see actors putting in the work to look authentic. **Need For Speed **finds Paul as Tobey Marshall, a street racer who goes into business with rich, arrogant car supplier pal Dino (Dominic Cooper), only to find himself framed when another friend dies during a race. Sent to jail, Marshall wants revenge and, once released, signs on for a cross-country race for a chance to strike back.
Then Dino learns about the scheme and puts a bounty on his head, forcing Tobey to go up against various illegal drivers in powerful vehicles. Michael Keaton is the reclusive, oddball host of the event, who invites the best racers from around the world to compete.
Also in the cast are Imogen Poots (as an exotic car dealer), Rami Malek, Kid Cudi, Ramon Rodriguez and Harrison Gilbertson. It’ll all be out on March 14.