Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul Has a Need for Speed (Opens Mar 12)

In DreamWorks Pictures “Need for Speed,” a gear-grinding drama set in the world of underground street racing, Aaron Paul plays Tobey Marshall … a role that almost wasn’t his.

The actor had just wrapped production on the final season of the critically acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad” where he plays Jesse Pinkman when he auditioned for the film. But the filmmakers were interested in casting him not as Tobey Marshall, but as Dino Brewster, Tobey’s adversary. Director Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”) knew for certain that Paul was their Tobey, but there were some concerns he might be perceived as too edgy because of his “Breaking Bad” association.

For Paul it was déjà vu, as six years earlier he’d had a similar experience during casting for “Breaking Bad.” At that time, there had been someone (the show’s creator and executive producer Vince Gilligan) who desperately wanted to cast him for a certain role (Jesse Pinkman) and there had also been some opposing views (executives at AMC felt he was too good looking to play a meth dealer).

The Breakout Stars of "Need for Speed" Race to Fame

DreamWorks Pictures’ “Need for Speed” (opening in the Philippines on March 12) boasts a cast of talented actors who are quickly becoming Hollywood’s next generation of stars: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Scott Mescudi and Dakota Johnson.

Aaron Paul

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption.

More Aaron Paul in New Need for Speed Photos

First-Look: "Need for Speed" Teaser Images

The film adaptation of the popular street racing video game “Need for Speed” from DreamWorks Studios has released its teaser images.

The movie stars "Breaking Bad" actor Aaron Paul as an auto mechanic seeking revenge on Dino Brewster, brought to the screen by Dominic Cooper. British actress Imogen Poots also appears among the sporty street racing cars in this film directed by Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor").

Dominic Cooper and Imogen Poots

“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing. The story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes—one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption.

An adaptation of Electronic Arts' popular video game franchise, “Need for Speed” will be a fast-paced, high-octane film extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game series. The cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story keeps players at the edge of their seat.

Opening across the Philippines in March 2014, “Need for Speed” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.