Yet another fantastic reason to be excited about “Death Race 2”- how can you say no to Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”, “LOTR”)? Bean will star opposite Luke Goss (“Hellboy II”, “Blade II”) in this prequel to Jason Statham’s “Death Race” in 2008. Bean joins the cast which also includes Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”,“Mission Impossible”), Danny Trejo (“Machete”, “From Dusk Till Dawn”), and Frederick Koehler (Lists from “Death Race”) and Lauren Cohan (“Supernatural”).

(Left: Sean Bean; Right: Luke Goss)

Roel Reine sits in the director’s chair. Paul W. S. Anderson (“AVP”, “Resident Evil”), who directed the first film, is now in a producing role with Jeremy Bolt. The screenplay was written by Tony Giglio.

The film is currently being shot in South Africa by Universal as the latest installment of their DVD Originals. This bit of intel means that “Death Race 2” aka “Death Race: Frankenstein Lives” will not see a theatrical run!

This prequel serves as “the origin story for the character named Frankenstein, a convicted cop killer (Goss) in a declining American empire where a racing reality show is about to be born in the country’s corrupt prison system”.

(Top: Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo;

Bottom: Frederick Koehler, Lauren Cohan)

[Commentary]

Now, while this makes me sad that “Death Race 2” will not see the big screen, I’m sure hoping that some indie theaters might show it just for kicks! I am a fan of… well nearly all the actors named here, especially Sean Bean and Luke Goss. I thought the first film was a fun and violent romp with speed, fire, ammunition, and explosions. In that vein of turn-your-brain-off-and-buckle-up-for-the-ride, I’m all set and revving my engines!

[Source] THR