I like when the piece announcing a Need For Speed film starring Breaking Bad lead Aaron Paul clarifies that the film will be “based on the Need for Speed games, but is not based on an individual game.” That of course means it will have cars and the logo, but they’re essentially making up their own Fast & Furious competitor.

And a logical choice it is, if the excitement for Fast Six following the phenomenal success of Fast Five is any indication. There’s no reason there’s not room for more fast cars on the screen, and lip service or not, I like the idea that the film will be “rooted in the tradition of the great car culture films of the 70s while being extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game franchise.” As you might imagine, I’m not super pleased that the guy behind Act Of Valor is in the director’s chair, but there’s a big difference between low-budget, handicam propaganda and a full-budgeted action film. Really, I’m just trying not to think about it because of the happier side of the news…

This announcement is ultimately just another branded blockbuster announcement, but the truly fun part is Aaron Paul being cast as the lead. While well known as Jesse on Breaking Bad, Paul’s been working it as an actor for a long time, and his success is fun to watch since he’s such a genuinely fun*, sweet human being. I can’t wait to watch a blockbuster with him front and center, and that there should be some fun automotive action makes it all the better. We don’t have to wait that long to see Paul as feature lead though, as he shares the screen with Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a drunk in the film Smashed, which is currently gathering great buzz as it screens more and more.

That film hits January 22nd, 2013.

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Source | THR