Universal 1440 Entertainment has announced that filming is currently underway on Death Race 3 in South Africa.  Luke Goss, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, Fred Koehler, Robin Shou, and Tanit Phoenix reprise their roles from Death Race 2, joined by franchise newbies Dougray Scott and Hlubi Mboya.  Universal 1440 executive Glenn Ross promises fans:

"Death Race 3 will exceed their expectations with even more explosive action, elaborately outfitted cars, inventive weaponry and death-defying stunts that have made the franchise such a huge fan favorite."

Death Race 2 director Roel Reiné returned to helm the sequel; Mike Elliott, Jeremy Bolt, and Death Race director Paul W.S. Anderson are back on board as producers.  Hit the jump for the official synopsis and the full press release.

Here is the official synopsis:

Convicted cop-killer Carl Lucas, aka Frankenstein, is a superstar driver in the brutal prison yard demolition derby known as Death Race. Only one victory away from winning freedom for himself and his pit crew, Lucas is plunged into an all-new competition more vicious than anything he has experienced before. Pitted against his most ruthless adversaries ever, Lucas fights to keep himself and his team alive in a race in South Africa’s infernal Kalahari Desert. With powerful forces at work behind the scenes to ensure his defeat, will Lucas’ determination to win at all costs mean the end of the road for him?

And here is the press release:

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DEATH RACE 3 currently filming in South Africa

Death Race 3, the latest heart-pounding entry in the high-octane franchise, is currently filming in and around Cape Town, South Africa. In this all-new original feature film from Universal 1440 Entertainment, hardened criminals race for their freedom in vicious new vehicles and face-off in the ultimate blood sport, when the popular Death Race is transported across the globe to the unforgiving and rugged terrain of South Africa.  Forced against his will to participate in this global TV spectacle, Frankenstein - the greatest Death Race driver of all time - takes on this ultimate challenge to not only save himself, but his pit crew as well.   Inspired by Roger Corman’s cult classic thrill ride, Death Race 3 marks the return of Luke Goss (Death Race 2, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Blade 2), Danny Trejo (Death Race 2, Machete, “Sons of Anarchy”), Ving Rhames (Death Race 2, Mission: Impossible franchise, Pulp Fiction), Fred Koehler (Death Race 1 & 2, “Lost”), Robin Shou (Death Race 1 & 2, Mortal Kombat) and Tanit Phoenix (Death Race 2, “Femme Fatales”).  Also, joining the action are Dougray Scott (Mission: Impossible II, “Heist”) and Hlubi Mboya (How to Steal 2 Million).

“Universal’s first two Death Race films have garnered an ardent global following that is eagerly awaiting a new chapter in this riveting saga,” says Glenn Ross,General Manager and Executive Vice President, Universal 1440 Entertainment.  “Death Race 3 will exceed their expectations with even more explosive action, elaborately outfitted cars, inventive weaponry and death-defying stunts that have made the franchise such a huge fan favorite.”

Director Roel Reiné (Death Race 2, Scorpion King 3) once again takes the wheel of the explosive, action-thrill ride. Death Race 3 is produced by Mike Elliott (Death Race 2, Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassins Ball), with Paul W.S. Anderson and Jeremy Bolt serving as executive producers.  The screenplay is by Tony Giglio (Death Race 2).  The film is an official South African/German Co-Production between Universal Pictures Productions GmbH and Moonlighting DR3 Production (Pty) Ltd, shot in South Africa and co-produced by Genevieve Hofmeyr, Marvin Saven, and Ralph Tuebben.  The film’s stellar production team includes director of photography John Shields (The Last House on the Left).

To get you in the mood, here are the trailers for Death Race and Death Race 2.

Death Race

Death Race 2

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