On 5 February, when the American football final will be held in Houston, Texas, billions of people will be in front of their TV screens. Mercedes-Benz will once again be present at the Superbowl with a film. “Easy Driver” pays homage to a series of legends: true to the original of the cult film from 1969 no one else except its main actor and Mercedes fan Peter Fonda and the song “Born to be wild” by the band Steppenwolf were eligible.
Directed by Oscar-winning duo Joel and Ethan Coen, the film unites the legendary actor with the new Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster. Together they rediscover the sense of freedom and adventure that Fonda used to experience on his motorbike trips across the vast American plains. The roadster allows the driver to sense the closeness of the road. The sound of its 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine is at its most extreme. It’s a sports car that is “Built to be wild”.
“Times have changed, and not just for Peter Fonda. “Easy Driver” aims to show that that intensive feeling of freedom is absolutely compatible with our GT Roadster, without losing any of the fascination of those earlier days”, says Dr Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Peter Fonda stars in “Easy Driver” for Mercedes
The film shows how a group of hardcore bikers have to learn just how much times have changed. The tough bikers are having a good time in a run-down bar on the legendary Route 66. “Born to be wild” plays non-stop in the background. Anything goes when it comes to winning the arm-wrestling contest. A whole “wall of fame” is devoted to their hero, Peter Fonda. High spirits prevail.
The good mood ends abruptly when the bikers notice that a new Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster blocked their bikes. The viewer gets a sense that trouble is looming for the car and its driver. But when he suddenly appears, he leaves the tough guys wondering whether it’s time to re-do their tattoos. Of all people it is Peter Fonda. And he demonstrates the modern-day version of how to live with a roar of his engine and smoke from his tyres.
Directors Joel and Ethan Coen (“Fargo”, “The Big Lebowski”, “No Country for Old Men”) added numerous ideas of their own to the original script. And their own special humour, of course. The legendary Coen brothers selected the cast themselves. Filming took place not far from Los Angeles.
