BMW’s internet film has built a cult following and the Munich-based manufacturer is following up its marketing blitz with a series of comics based on the short film series.The Hire short film series.content here
In 2001, BMW Films helped revolutionize the way cars are marketed on the Internet with its series of films. Since then, millions have tuned in and downloaded the adventures of The Driver, a character played by British actor Clive Owen.
The films of series were directed by some of the biggest names in Hollywood and have a star-studded casts. The original series of five films were directed by John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee, Wong Kar-Wai, Guy Ritchie and Alejandro González Iñárritu respectively and starred Owen, Madonna and BMW’s 740i, 540i 6-speed, 330Ci, Z3 3,0i, 530i, X5 3,0i and 745i.
The second series of three films are (directed by John Woo), (Joe Carnahan) and (Tony Scott) and seems a little more character-driven than the first… Owen stars along Gary Oldman, James Brown, Don Cheadle, F. Murray Abraham, Maury Chaykin, Kathryn Morris – and the BMW Z4. There are also cameo appearances by shock rocker Marilyn Manson, Ray Liotta, Robert Patrick and Dennis Haysbert.
But Americans will get to see even more of BMW’s products when the first series of comic books hits retail shelves next month. Dark Horse Comics and bmwfilms turned ‘The Driver’ over to different creative teams, each of whom will produce a different story. As with the award-winning film series, each comic will be a stand-alone piece.
series will include six issues, the first of which is called and is written and drawn by comics legend Matt Wagner. Future issues will feature the work of Katushiro Otomo (), Katsuya Terada, () Mark Waid (), Kurt Busiek (), as well as Francisco Ruiz Velasco (), Karl Kesel (), Ariel Olivetti (), and Steven Grant (). Where will it end – a BMW sitcom, or reality TV show?