Star Cars of New Action Film to Get Start in Clinton Township Shop

When Hollywood transforms a popular video game into a high-octane action film this summer, several of the picture’s four-wheeled stars will hail – in part – from a Clinton Township shop.

Adapted from the racing game franchise of the same name, Need for Speed will film partly in Detroit, calling on Race Car Replicas of Clinton Township and Technosports Creative of Livonia to build and enhance several of the “super cars” set to feature in the film.

“Need for Speed was initially just looking at Michigan to do car builds for the film, but we were able to make the case that this was a terrific place to film the movie as well,” said Margaret O’Riley, director of the Michigan Film Office, in a prepared statement. “This project fits so well into both our reputation as a great state for filmmaking and the automotive heritage Michigan is known for; it’s a strong investment all around.”

Directed by Scott Waugh and starring Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Mission Impossible III), Dominic Cooper (Captain America) and Imogen Poots (Fright Night), the film follows a street racer on a cross country pursuit of revenge.

Approved for a film incentive from the state, DreamWorks Studios will turn to Race Car Replicas to build the chassis, or framework, for several of the “super cars” set to race in the film. 

Technosports Creative is working on a single vehicle that will be showcased in the movie.

Located on Groesbeck, Race Car Replicas is the brainchild of Fran Hall, a former development technician for General Motors. Looking to build high-quality race car replicas at an affordable price, Hall formed RCR in 2004 and now manufactures a series of race car reproductions using modern engineering and 60's styling.

There is no word yet on exactly what types of cars will be featured in the film.

Need for Speed was awarded an incentive of $1,370,852 on $4,993,623 of projected in-state expenditures, with the work being done at Race Car Replicas and Technosports Creative part of the projected $4.9 million, according to the Michigan Film Office.

The project is also expected to hire 111 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of 11 jobs.