Does the film maketh the motorcycle, or does the motorcycle maketh the film? In some instances it could be argued that the latter is true, and some classic examples of bikes augmenting films include The Great Escape, Easy Rider, The Wild One, The World's Fastest Indian, Mad Max, The Motorcycle Diaries, Terminator 2, and who could forget Wild Hogs...
There's a new movie currently under filming in the UK that may join this esteemed list if the motorbikes get plenty of face time.
Titled Welcome To The Punch, the action-thriller will star the Yamaha XT660X super moto bike alongside British actor James McAvoy, telling the story of a reformed criminal who returns to London after his son becomes embroiled in a botched heist.
We're hoping it turns out to be one part Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and two parts Ronin, but as filming has only just started and the release date is set for 2012 no one really knows what to expect. Could be a stinker.
Yamaha Motor UK handed over six of the XT660X models, finished in black-on-black, and it's likely that most of them will be trashed and/or torn apart in the movie's various chase scenes.
The company reckons "the XT660X's will reflect the adrenalin packed nature of the film perfectly, looking right at home on the streets of London. They will be used in the opening sequence of the film, which sees the two main protagonists of the film duelling it out in a high speed chase scene."
The film is directed by Eran Creevy who helmed the BAFTA-nominated film Shifty (we haven't heard of it either) and will filmed in and around London, which will add a gritty, realistic feel due to current events.
"It's a thrill to be able to use Yamaha's XT660X's in Welcome To The Punch. They are set to feature in some fast, action packed chase sequences which will showcase the incredible power, speed and style of these bikes," said producer Ben Pugh.
Yamaha has had an active role in several British movies of late, including the boat chase sequence in Quantum of Solace (Yamaha 4-stroke outboards), while the new Johnny English film starring Rowan Atkinson star the Yamaha FX Nytro XT-X Snowmobile.
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