Biker Boyz
Release Date:
January 31, 2003
A contemporary western set in the world of black motorcycle clubs, Biker Boyz is a based on an article by Michael Gougis that was published in the New Times Los Angeles back in April of 2000. Laurence Fishburne stars as Manuel “Smoke” Galloway, the president of an underground club and an undefeated racer known as the “King of Cali”. Surrounded by urban outlaws who live their lives on the edge, the group is made up of men who live their lives as lawyers and city workers by day, but dress in full leather motorcycle regalia to race at night. Smoke’s dominance is about to be challenged by a young racing prodigy known as “The Kid” (Antwone Fisher’s Derek Luke), who covets Smoke’s notoriety and wants to take his title at an annual drag-racing event in Fresno.
In addition to Fishburne and Luke, Biker Boyz boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, including Orlando Jones, Djimon Hounsou, Larenz Tate, Eriq LaSalle, Lisa Bonet, Rick Gonzalez and Kid Rock. The film is the first major studio feature for director Reggie Rock Bythewood, whose debut project, Dancing in September, was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and played on HBO. With writing credits that include Get on the Bus and Cradle 2 the Grave, the director also shared scripting duties with debut screenwriter C. Fernandez.
Biker Boyz isn’t the only motorcycle racing film scheduled to come down the pike; Warner Bros.’ Torque will be released in the same approximate time frame. Since a lot of audience response in these cases depends on perception of originality, the first of the two to be released is certainly going to have the advantage. Both feature high-profile stars (Torque has Ice Cube) and are solidly targeted at precisely the same demographic. The studios should have an interesting battle on their hands when the films near their respective opening weekends. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
Vital statistics for Biker Boyz |
Main Cast |
Laurence Fishburne, Larenz Tate, Derek Luke, Kid Rock |
Supporting Cast |
Tyson Beckford, Lisa Bonet, Brendan Fehr, Djimon Hounsou, Kadeem Hardison, Orlando Jones, Eriq LaSalle |
Director |
Reggie Rock Bythewood |
Screenwriter |
Craig Fernandez, Reggie Rock Bythewood |
Distributor |
DreamWorks |
Trailer |
http://www.bikerboyz.com/trailer.html
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Official Site |
http://www.bikerboyz.com/ |
Rating |
PG-13 |
Running Time |
110 minutes |
Screen Count |
1,766 |
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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Comparison films for Biker Boyz |
Title |
Date |
Opening |
Adjusted Opening |
Screens |
PSA |
Adj PSA |
Total BO |
Adjusted Total |
Mult |
Fast and the Furious, The |
6/22/01 | 40.09 |
42.78 |
2628 |
15255.00 |
15660.0 |
144.51 |
154.23 |
3.60 |
Matrix, The |
4/2/99 | 27.78 |
33.10 |
2849 |
9751.00 |
11133.0 |
171.38 |
204.23 |
5.82 |
Gone in 60 Seconds |
6/9/00 | 25.34 |
28.34 |
3006 |
8430.00 |
9071.2 |
101.61 |
113.67 |
4.01 |
Driven |
4/27/01 | 12.17 |
12.98 |
2905 |
4190.00 |
4301.2 |
32.62 |
34.81 |
2.68 |
Antwone Fisher |
1/10/03 | 3.78 |
3.78 |
1007 |
3757.00 |
3757.0 |
21.08 |
21.08 |
3.82 |
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