New Herbie the Love Bug Movie
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The Mustang Source FOUNDER
Joined: January 29, 2004
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From: Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Production is getting under way this month for the fifth Herbie The Love Bug film, which will come out next year, probably as a summer release.
The new Love Bug flick, Herbie, Fully Loaded, stars Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton, and features a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own mixing it up with racing cars.
Dillon, 40, will play a handsome "bad boy" of the racing circuit in the film, which is set in the world of NASCAR racing. Fully Loaded follows on from the original Herbie movie, The Love Bug, and three earlier sequels. The movie begins production in Los Angeles next week.
Disney hopes the movie will cash in on the three-decade-old success of the original Herbie film and the three sequels: Herbie Rides Again (1974), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) and Herbie Goes Bananas (1980).
The film comes along at a time when Volkswagen New Beetle sales are off nearly 20 percent when sales of the two-door hardtop and convertible are combined. How many more years VW even makes the Beetle is up for grabs, according to recent interviews with VW executives. There is no thought to a re-do, just continued year-to-year improvements, a few minor body changes and new paint colors. It has become fashionable to call the New Beetle a bust because it is so far off its initial sales cadence of some 70,000 vehicles a year. But such criticism ignores the fact that excitement around the Beetle between 1994 when it was shown as a concept car and 1998 when it debuted, pretty much saved Volkswagen of America.
A new and successful (re: not straight to video) Herbie film could add a few thousand sales based on piqued interest. The truth about the Beetle, though, is that people still have a wistful and more indelible love for the original Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Microbus than the current New Beetle. All three vehicles of yesteryear continually show up in films and TV commercials despite not being sold as new since the 1970s. Even "The Thing," the military style SUV sold in the 1970s was prominently featured in the 2001 film, The Rat Race. There is no truth, however, to the rumors that the Phaeton luxury sedan will be featured in a film next year called "The Bust."
The new Love Bug flick, Herbie, Fully Loaded, stars Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton, and features a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own mixing it up with racing cars.
Dillon, 40, will play a handsome "bad boy" of the racing circuit in the film, which is set in the world of NASCAR racing. Fully Loaded follows on from the original Herbie movie, The Love Bug, and three earlier sequels. The movie begins production in Los Angeles next week.
Disney hopes the movie will cash in on the three-decade-old success of the original Herbie film and the three sequels: Herbie Rides Again (1974), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) and Herbie Goes Bananas (1980).
The film comes along at a time when Volkswagen New Beetle sales are off nearly 20 percent when sales of the two-door hardtop and convertible are combined. How many more years VW even makes the Beetle is up for grabs, according to recent interviews with VW executives. There is no thought to a re-do, just continued year-to-year improvements, a few minor body changes and new paint colors. It has become fashionable to call the New Beetle a bust because it is so far off its initial sales cadence of some 70,000 vehicles a year. But such criticism ignores the fact that excitement around the Beetle between 1994 when it was shown as a concept car and 1998 when it debuted, pretty much saved Volkswagen of America.
A new and successful (re: not straight to video) Herbie film could add a few thousand sales based on piqued interest. The truth about the Beetle, though, is that people still have a wistful and more indelible love for the original Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Microbus than the current New Beetle. All three vehicles of yesteryear continually show up in films and TV commercials despite not being sold as new since the 1970s. Even "The Thing," the military style SUV sold in the 1970s was prominently featured in the 2001 film, The Rat Race. There is no truth, however, to the rumors that the Phaeton luxury sedan will be featured in a film next year called "The Bust."
Brad's Brother
Joined: August 17, 2004
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Will it be the New Beetle or the classic used in the movie? I would think the classic would produce more movie rental sales for sure, but the New Beetle would promote owners of both to see it. I'll see it because that was one of my favorites growing up, but I don't care for either now since I have a clue. Maybe Disney is trying to crawl out of a hole. No pun intended. :gay: 
Jim
Jim
Cobra R Member
Joined: March 18, 2004
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I'm pretty sure i've said this before, but i totally think the shelby cobra would be the perfect car for a bad guy in a herbie movie. The grill on the cobra is scary, looks like it could swallow the little guy.
I would be happy seeing this with either the classic beetle and cobra or the new ones. I just want to see another mind-of-its-own car that's a bit more evil in nature and appearance.
I would be happy seeing this with either the classic beetle and cobra or the new ones. I just want to see another mind-of-its-own car that's a bit more evil in nature and appearance.
GTR Member
Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 4,749
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From: Manchester, England
Please go to the attached link for the trailer.
It actually looks really funny in a stupid kind of way, especially when he sees the new beetle....... I am sure it will pass a rainy afternoon (and it has Lindsey Lohan in it
)
Herbie trailer
It actually looks really funny in a stupid kind of way, especially when he sees the new beetle....... I am sure it will pass a rainy afternoon (and it has Lindsey Lohan in it
)Herbie trailer
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 3,990
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From: Conroe, TX
I saw the preview at the theater this weekend. Looks a little too goofy for my tastes. Even my 12 year old daughter didn't seem very interested and she's a Lindsey Lohan fan. I'll take her to see it if she wants me to but otherwise it looks like DVD fodder to me.
My C/T is cooler than Arin is.
Joined: August 6, 2004
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From: Parkersburg, WV
Originally posted by Dr Iven@August 22, 2004, 1:38 AM
Every time I see a new Beetle, I expect it to wink and giggle at me. :scratch:
Every time I see a new Beetle, I expect it to wink and giggle at me. :scratch:
^_^ :P 
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
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From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
Originally posted by schmalex@March 7, 2005, 6:23 AM
MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm Lindsay Lohan reason enough to see the movie
MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm Lindsay Lohan reason enough to see the movie
:Pi remember seeing parts of the originals when i was real young. kinda wanna see this now
Bullitt Member
Joined: May 24, 2004
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