Way back at the start of the millennium, luxury carmaker BMW launched the film series “The Hire” with Clive Owen starring in eight short films from top shelf directors—John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai, Guy Ritchie, Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Woo, Joe Carnahan, Tony Scott—to highlight the high priced autos in slick big screen worthy productions. It worked. The film are still referenced today, managed some intriguing guest stars (Madonna, Gary Oldman, Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle) and found that sweet spot between commerce and creativity. And more than a decade later, BMW is going to do it again.
Showbiz411 reports that Gus Van Sant is the first director on board for the relaunched series, which currently has no title, and even a cast. But we do know the there will be a shakeup to the formula, with the new films following a couple, instead of single person, with casting already underway for “big star names in their mid-30s” preferably “cutting edge or maybe an older actor who’s acquired some hipness.”
And until we see this all come together, watch all eight BMW’s first batch of shorts below—they are well worth your time. And tell us your ideas below on who should star and direct this time around.