Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Disable your ad blocker to continue using our website.
There are probably not a lot of people on earth who haven't heard of Herbie before. The legendary little off-white Volkswagen Beetle with the racing stripes and prominent number 53 have put smiles on the faces of kids of all ages for almost half a century now and the end is nowhere near in sight. Walt Disney Productions, in a joint venture with Pixar Animation, have just announced that production on the seventh Herbie movie will start in the second half of 2010. The official title is not revealed at this stage, but it has been confirmed that it will be directed by Angela Robinson and produced by Robert Simonds, both who were involved with the 2005 Disney production Herbie: Fully Loaded. This hugely successful movie has earned gross worldwide takings in excess of $144 million.
Herbie movies in the past have taken audiences to some of the world's most exotic locations, from the streets of San Francisco and the deserts of Mexico to on board a luxury liner and the race tracks of Monte Carlo. Number seven is no exception, and with the plot set in darkest of dark Africa with a safari rally as a backdrop, this movie will not only appeal to dedicated hardcore Herbie fans, but also create thousands of new ones. According to Robinson, the majority of the filming will take place in South Africa, with a possible street scene in Cape Town, as well as several scenes on South African beaches and private game reserves. Wild animals like lions, elephants and giraffes will play a major role in the movie, capturing the wild spirit of Africa. Robinson further said that, in spite of the partnership with Pixar, very little CG effects will be used in the movie.
Sexy Lindsay Lohan will unfortunately not return to Herbie 7 and the cast of the new movie is still a Hollywood secret. Inside information has however reported that the lead female role will be played by none other than the 35-year old Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, a true Hollywood legend in her own time. If this is the case, it will be home turf for Theron as she was born and raised in South Africa before her US fame. As for the male lead role, the name Sharlto Copley is mentioned. Copley recently played in the movie District 9 which was also filmed in South Africa, and will be seen as Murdock in the movie version of the 80's hit The A-Team which will be released later this year. Copley is also a South African-born actor.
Another rumour is that Dean Jones, who played a lead role in two of the original Herbie movies, will also have a small part in the new Herbie. The 79-year old Jones could unfortunately not be reached to confirm this. Buddy Hackett, popular American comedian and Jones' co-star in the first 1969 Herbie movie The Love Bug, sadly passed away in 2003.
It is expected that the new Herbie movie will result an increased interest and obsession in the Volkswagen Beetle - a car that has been in production for close to half a century, and of which close to 22 million examples have left the factory. And with the sure possibility of merchandising, another Hollywood multi-million dollar sideline, it is a win-win situation for all. Or is it?
The German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen has announced in a press release a few years ago that they distantiate themselves from all Herbie movies past and future, and claimed corporate ownership of the Volkswagen Beetle. As a result of this, the producers of Herbie 7 will have to be very careful as to what they put on screen. No mentioning of the words 'Volkswagen', 'Beetle' or 'Bug' will be allowed, and the well-known VW logo will have to be removed from the car. But with the instantly-recognisable shape of the Beetle, there will be no doubt in the mind of any Herbie fan as to the true origins of number 53!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"Life is like a box of Chocolates, your bound to get some nuts" ''There is something Real about that little car, Something that dosen't even have a name.'':Jim Douglas
