Need for Speed Hits Theaters: Ramón Rodríguez Is Revved Up for Action Film's Release and Talks Stunts, Camaraderie on Set
Are you in need for speed?
Well, if you are, you should race to your local movie theater this weekend to check out Need for Speed, starring Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul, Puerto Rican actor Ramón Rodríguez, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), who is of Mexican-Native-American and African-American decent, among other notable stars.
The action-packed film, which is poised to steal the No.1 North American box office slot this weekend with an anticipated $25 million debut, as well as a big international push that includes an opening in China, is directed by Scott Waugh, written by George Gatins and John Gatins, and produced by DreamWorks Pictures. The film is an adaptation of the Need for Speed series of video games by Electronic Arts. Fans will be thrilled to hear that the film will be post-converted to 3D as well.
Aaron Paul plays Tobey, a muscle car mechanic and street car racer who is framed for a crime he didn't commit. When he gets out of prison, he's determined to settle the score with the man responsible for his false conviction.
Rodríguez is known for his recurring roles in the television series The Wire and Day Break. He appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and The Taking of Pelham 123. He also played Bosley in the short-lived 2011 reboot of the Charlie's Angels.
He plays Joe Peck who drives "The Beast," and is "a mix of a trucker and a grease monkey ... He's a big-time mechanic -- and he lives for that."
Chemistry's came naturally to the cast, where its actors were able to "recreate that energy and vibe" that you find among longtime friends -- "a real camaraderie" between eachother.
The action scenes took on a life of their own and impacted the actors in a posititve way.
"I think we've done some pretty cool stunts on our own..."Rodríguez said. From racing cars at top speeds to actually piloting a plane, the experiences for the actors making the film have been life-changing.
"People are overcoming fears and doing stuff they've never done, but we all feel very safe doing it," he added.
Including Rodríguez and Paul, The Need for Speed cast is made up of Dominic Cooper as Dino Brewster, an entrepreneur in the world of car upgrades; Imogen Poots as Julia Maddon, a savvy exotic car dealer who connects the wealthy with high-end supercars,; Ramón Rodríguez as Joe Peck; Michael Keaton as Monarch, a reclusive and eccentric host of an "underground" supercar race competition, Scott Mescudi as Benny, Rami Malek as Finn, Dakota Johnson as Anita and Harrison Gilbertson as Pete.
Paul and Rodríguez attended a screening of Need For Speed held at the Tribeca Grand Screening Room on Tuesday (March 11) in New York City, Just Jared reports.
Reportedly, Aaron is in talks to star in a spin-off Better Call Saul for his hit show Breaking Bad, which just wrapped up after the sixth season.
"Anything Vince is involved with, I'm there," Aaron said to the AP. "I owe him my entire career. And the idea of jumping into the skin of Jesse Pinkman again in his lighter days -- because it's all a prequel -- it would be fun."
Also, check out the official trailer of Need for Speed.