There are few figures that have wielded such mighty influence over genre films as the legendary producer Roger Corman. Sure, Corman’s films may not always be of the highest quality, but when a Corman production works there’s nothing like it. One of his most iconic film is the madcap sci-fi feature Death Race 2000, where the nation gathers around the television to watch a cross country race that awards points for killing pedestrians. Like Corman, who celebrates his 90th birthday today, there’s nothing like it.
There was the Paul W.S. Anderson-helmed remake of sorts, 2008’s Death Race, but it couldn’t capture the crazed energy of the 1975 original. Earlier this year it was announced that the Death Race series would be getting its own reboot headed up by Corman, Death Race 2050. Corman says of the upcoming reboot: “This is an amazing opportunity for me and millions of Death Race 2000 fans to experience the intensity, thrills and dark humor of the original, fueled by a terrific young cast, spectacular vehicles and side-splitting action, literally.”
This rebooted action film stars Manu Bennett, Malcolm McDowell, Burt Grinstead, Marci Miller, Folake Olowofoyeku, Anessa Ramsey, Yancy Butler, and Charlie Farrell. Death Race 2050 is written by Matt Yamashita and G.J. Echternkamp with Echternkamp directing. Death Race 2050 is due to be released later this year.
The official synopsis for Death Race 2050:
In the not-too-distant future, America is controlled by an all-powerful corporate government that keeps the masses placated with violent virtual-reality entertainment. The event of the year is the Death Race, where a motley assortment of drivers compete in a cross-country road race, scoring points for running down pedestrians and killing each other. The reigning champion and popular favorite is half-man, half-machine Frankenstein — but little does he know he’s taken on a rebel spy as his co-pilot.
