500 The Movie Progressing Nicely

With the first 0f 40 replica cars having already been built (the remainder in 6-8 months), land has been secured, track designer Paxton Waters hired, and Praire Hills Motorsport Club in place to operate the facility after filming. Things seem to be moving along nicely for the film to be released in time for May 2011 the track centennial.

Justin Escue, founder and president of My First Bike Productions, said his company has commitments for the $30 million to $40 million needed to produce a movie about the 1911 Indianapolis 500.

Angelo Pizzo has reportedly "recently finished" the screenplay, and helped to get Hollywood executive producers Barry Josephson & Doug Falconer to sign on with the film.

“These guys are the real deal,” Pizzo said. “They are very entrenched in Hollywood and know how to make a project like this happen. They believe in the project enough to invest some of their own money, and that says something.”

'You can’t believe how many top, top race car drivers have expressed interest in being in this film,” Pizzo said.

Read entire IBJ story here.