The Escape

In the late 1990s BMW profits were slipping and they decide to target internet savvy customers, which was very cutting edge and forward looking for the late 1990s.   The result of this was a $25 million budget to make eight short films starting British actor Clive Owen.  Each film involves on Owen on a different mission while driving a different BMW.  The directors and stars of these films included, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, John Woo, Ang Lee, Guy Ritchie, Don Cheadle, James Brown and Gary Oldman.  Did the films work as designed?  BMW sales, which jumped 12.5 percent from 2000 to 2001 and then 17.2 percent from 2001 to 2002.  BMW measured viewing success at 2 million viewers, but to date the films have been watched by 100 million people.  

Since the last round of films rumors have been around that a new series of BMW Films were around the corner.  Over a decade later the series is back with The Escape, directed by Neill Blokamp, known for directing District 9 and Elysium.