Speed Racer
aka "mach5driver"
ESPN
ESPN announced the start of production of its third original, made-for-television movie, "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story," an ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) production based on the storied life and career of the late auto racing legend. The movie is set to premiere late summer 2004.
Orly Adelson of Orly Adelson Productions ("The Truth About Jane," The Junction Boys"), who serves as executive producer of ESPN's critically acclaimed dramatic series "Playmakers," will also serve as executive producer of "3." Russell Mulcahy ("Skin," "Queer as Folk," "Ricochet") will direct from a screenplay by TV writer-producer Robert Eisele ("Resurrection Blvd.").
"Earnhardt's untimely and tragic death in the final lap at the 2001 Daytona 500 was one of sports' most tragic days," said Ron Semiao, ESPN senior vice president, ESPN Original Entertainment. "His death not only altered the auto racing landscape but introduced a new generation of sports fans to his legacy. '3' will explore his rise to dominance and the many reasons why there may never be another one like him."
Earnhardt, winner of seven Winston Cup championships, ranks sixth in series history with 76 race wins -- including a victory in the 1998 Daytona 500. His last Cup victory came at Talladega, Ala., on Oct. 15, 2000.
"Clearly movies and entertainment projects have successfully expanded ESPN's reach and are now an intrinsic leg of our programming mix, along with events and sports news," said Mark Shapiro, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production. "With this slate of movies in development, led by Earnhardt's tale of triumph and tragedy, ESPN is committing to an aggressive schedule of quality movies tackling some of sports' most compelling subjects."
ESPN announced the start of production of its third original, made-for-television movie, "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story," an ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) production based on the storied life and career of the late auto racing legend. The movie is set to premiere late summer 2004.
Orly Adelson of Orly Adelson Productions ("The Truth About Jane," The Junction Boys"), who serves as executive producer of ESPN's critically acclaimed dramatic series "Playmakers," will also serve as executive producer of "3." Russell Mulcahy ("Skin," "Queer as Folk," "Ricochet") will direct from a screenplay by TV writer-producer Robert Eisele ("Resurrection Blvd.").
"Earnhardt's untimely and tragic death in the final lap at the 2001 Daytona 500 was one of sports' most tragic days," said Ron Semiao, ESPN senior vice president, ESPN Original Entertainment. "His death not only altered the auto racing landscape but introduced a new generation of sports fans to his legacy. '3' will explore his rise to dominance and the many reasons why there may never be another one like him."
Earnhardt, winner of seven Winston Cup championships, ranks sixth in series history with 76 race wins -- including a victory in the 1998 Daytona 500. His last Cup victory came at Talladega, Ala., on Oct. 15, 2000.
"Clearly movies and entertainment projects have successfully expanded ESPN's reach and are now an intrinsic leg of our programming mix, along with events and sports news," said Mark Shapiro, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production. "With this slate of movies in development, led by Earnhardt's tale of triumph and tragedy, ESPN is committing to an aggressive schedule of quality movies tackling some of sports' most compelling subjects."
