Rush, a new movie from Apollo 13 director Ron Howard slated to come out in 2013, might be the best racing movie since the 1971 Steve McQueen classic Le Mans, and rumors are swirling that 2008 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton may have a role in the film.
In the lead-up to the movie, though, Howard has released some absolutely beautiful documentary photography from the production at the Nürburgring. Howard has been periodically releasing photos of the production on his Twitter account, and they provide a gorgeous rendering of both classic race cars and modern filmmaking. The cars used in the film are actual Formula 1 cars from the 1970s.
The new movie will follow the famous rivalry between Formula 1 drivers Niki Lauda and James hunt. Rush will focus on Lauda's life threatening 1976 crash during the German Grand Prix and his improbable return to racing a mere six weeks later.
The movie will star Daniel Brühl (Inglorious Basterds) as Lauda, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as Hunt and Olivia Wilde as Suzy Miller, Hunt's supermodel wife.
Former Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton consulted with Howard early in the production of the film and impressed the director so much that Howard has said that there is a role for Hamilton if he wants it, The Sun reported.
The budget for Rush is estimated at $65 million by IMDB.
Click through the slideshow for Howard's pictures and accompanying tweets. A documentary clip about Lauda's crash is below.
"We were able to use the fog to advantage in our first brief scene. Sometimes you get lucky."Ron Howard"After a cool edgy scene between Hunt and Lauda in the morning, we shot racing and crowd reactions. Loud and fun."Ron Howard"A piece of business in our rain scene was to drain canopies in the Paddock"Ron Howard"We used three different cameras to capture the authentic feel of that press conference for Rush."Ron Howard"Director's monitor look at our last shot of the day. A winner's podium both Lauda and Hunt shared."Ron Howard"Ok. I obviously didn't take this one...but I am bending my rule and including it. A good day :-)"Ron Howard"Pre race flavor on our grid scene today for Rush."Ron Howard"'James Hunt's' unmade hotel room bed Those are not Hunt's feet. "Ron Howard"Plenty of "moving parts" on this movie While we shot hotel room scenes mechanics tuned cars for tomorrow."Ron Howard"Foggy at 6:40 this morning Rush's last day at this location for a while."Ron Howard"Introducing a new character today as we filmed Historic F3 cars racing live, 'in camera.'"Ron Howard"Setting a composition for a shot inside the McLaren trailer during the '76 season."Ron Howard"Charged pre-race moment in 2nd scene today. it was a blend of atmospheric visuals and strong character work all week."Ron Howard"Actors have gained a real sense of what it was to inhabit the world of F1 in the 70s fun to see that in their work."Ron Howard"Crew of Rush really out did themselves these 3 weeks. Much good work done by talented people. Have a good wkend (sic) all."Ron Howard"Starting a new sequence today for Rush Great energy at this location."Ron Howard"Director's monitor for the first set up of the day."Ron Howard"We were working with some unique classics all day."Ron Howard"Vital part of Team Lotus."Ron Howard"And...that's a wrap For today. 4 pages and 20+ camera set ups."Ron Howard