Las Vegas Weekly

November 17, 2008 · 10:38 AM

Exclusive: Stallone and Statham to invade Vegas for Transporter 3

By Robin Leach

Sylvester Stallone and Planet Hollywood head honcho Robert Earl.

Photo: TVT

They’re both English, but one packs just a punch less than the other, and the whacking is just a little more than the wallop executed by the other.

One serves his country, and the other is only out for himself -- but both are box office champions.

Now what a movie it would be if Daniel Craig, who portrays James Bond, took on Jason Statham, who plays Frank Martin! It’s 007 vs. the Transporter!

Nipping at the special agent’s No. 1 boffo box office heels in Quantum of Solace this past weekend is Transporter 3 -- just in time for Thanksgiving. But Vegas DeLuxe has learned exclusively that the world premiere will be held right here this Friday on the Strip at Planet Hollywood less than a week before its Nov. 26 national release.

On hand will be the movie’s star and Jason’s co-stars, including actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break and last year’s Hitman; stunning, new, sexy actress Natalya Rudakova, discovered as a hairdresser in New York; and acclaimed French director-producer Luc Besson, who created the brute-force, weapons-master, driving courier character.

A surprise action hero guest will be Sylvester Stallone because the Rocky star will team with Jason and Jackie Chan in his next action picture Expendable. Watch for the photos of Stallone and Statham as they huddle to go over final start date details of the film.

Final arrangements for the Hollywood star invasion were being nailed down this morning in advance of the official announcement about Friday’s gala red carpet event. Meantime, here’s your first YouTube look at the trailer for the thrilling Transporter 3.

The British hunk was discovered by Madonna’s estranged husband, director Guy Ritchie, for his movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and has since shot to stardom as a screen villain. Now Jason has returned for the third time behind the wheel as the former Special Forces officer in the all-action, physically demanding, high-octane series.

Yes, the 36-year-old strapping actor does those heart-stopping and heart-pounding, fast-and-furious driving sequences himself! Stuntmen only step in for this rugged hero when it’s truly, lethally dangerous!

To be bigger than rivals James Bond and Jason Bourne, Jason says: “We try to do better. It’s great to have such a huge opportunity. We have a very creative army for the film. It takes a lot to gamble like this.”

So audiences will grip the edge of their seats during the BMX bike chase, the sequence aboard a high-speed train and an auto-escape right out of Criss Angel’s Houdini books!

The one-time Olympic diving contender continued: “Getting into shape prior to shooting is the most important. If you’re not physically sort of ready, if you don’t hit the gym and you’re not stretched out, you’re going to get injured very quickly.”

To date the two Transporter films have grossed $70 million in the United States alone, and Lionsgate won a bidding war against Fox to distribute the third film of the series directed by Olivier Megaton. Executives at Lionsgate pacted with Planet Hollywood’s head honcho Robert Earl to premiere all its films at his Vegas resort casino.

The stars and movie executives will walk a red carpet through the casino prior to the film and after the screening celebrate with a premiere party at Prive nightclub. Vegas DeLuxe will bring you the full photo report afterwards.

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