Production began this weekend on Nicolas Winding Refn's upcoming action-thriller Drive.  The flick has an amazing cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks, Oscar Isaac, and Albert Brooks.  Here's the official synopsis:

“Drive” is the story of a Hollywood stunt driver by day (Ryan Gosling), a loner by nature, who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for-hire in the criminal underworld. He finds himself a target for some of LA's most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan). When the job goes dangerously awry, the only way he can keep Irene and her son alive is to do what he does best—Drive!

Hit the jump for press release.  Drive is scheduled to wrap filming on November 12th.  If you're not familiar with Refn's work, check out Bronson and the Pusher trilogy.  With Refn at the helm and this cast, Drive is near the top of my 2011 must-see list.

drive_movie_promo_poster_01

Here's the press release:

“DRIVE” REVS INTO PRODUCTION!

Ryan Gosling & Carey Mulligan Star

in Director Nicolas Winding Refn’s Action-Packed Thriller

Los Angeles, CA (September 27, 2010). Production began this weekend on the highly anticipated independent feature, “DRIVE”, with Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (BRONSON, VALHALLA RISING) in the driver’s seat.  Filming around Los Angeles, the action-packed thriller stars Academy Award@ nominees Ryan Gosling (HALF NELSON, THE NOTEBOOK) and Carey Mulligan (AN EDUCATION, WALL STREET 2: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS). Academy Award@ nominee Hossein Amini (WINGS OF THE DOVE) adapted the script from the James Sallis’ novel of the same name.

Bold Films, Marc Platt Productions and OddLot Entertainment have partnered to produce the film. Affinity International is handling foreign sales, with William Morris Endeavor handling the domestic sale of the film.

Adding to the compelling mix of talent are three-time Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston (BREAKING BAD), Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman (SONS OF ANARCHY), Emmy nominee Christina Hendricks (MAD MEN), Oscar Isaac (BODY OF LIES, ROBIN HOOD) and Academy Award@ nominee Albert Brooks (BROADCAST NEWS).

“Drive” is the story of a Hollywood stunt driver by day (Ryan Gosling), a loner by nature, who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for-hire in the criminal underworld. He finds himself a target for some of LA's most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan). When the job goes dangerously awry, the only way he can keep Irene and her son alive is to do what he does best—Drive!

Producers on the film are Marc Platt (LEGALLY BLONDE, WANTED) Gigi Pritzker (RABBIT HOLE), Michel Litvak (BOBBY, LEGION), Adam Siegel (SCOTT PILGRIM, WANTED) and John Palermo (DECEPTION). David Lancaster (LEGION, A LOVE SONG FOR BOBBY LONG), Bill Lischak (RABBIT HOLE), Linda McDonough (RABBIT HOLE), Jeffrey Stott (THE BUCKET LIST), & Gary Michael Walters (LEGION, BOBBY) serve as Executive Producers.

Producer Marc Platt explains, “Nicolas’ work demonstrates a keen facility for creating exceptional tension that meshes action and character in a riveting way and that was very exciting to me.” He also added, “Ryan possesses an innate talent that is yet to be fully tapped and Drive is the perfect marriage of material to actor—the script brings him into a whole new arena that’s really thrilling.  And Carey, who has proven her versatility in the films we’ve seen, takes on a role that also brings her into unchartered territory.  The whole team with Hoss’ script is a dynamic combination.”

Some of the key talent behind-the-scenes includes Newton Thomas Siegl, A.S.C. (X-MEN, VALKYRIE, THE USUAL SUSPECTS) Production Designer Beth Mickle (HALF NELSON, COLD SOULS), and Costume Designer Erin Benach (DEVIL). Editor Mat Newman reteams with Director Nicolas Winding Refn for a third time, previously collaborating together on BRONSON and VALHALLA RISING.

Filming is scheduled to wrap on November 12, 2010.