BMW of North America announced today the return of BMW Films withThe Escape, a short film from Academy Award nominated directorNeill Blomkamp(District 9,Elysium) featuring original BMW Films star and Oscar nominated actorClive Owen(Closer,Children of Men), who reprises his role as The Driver. Presented as an homage to the 15th anniversary of the original BMW Film series,The Escapealso starsDakota Fanning(War of the Worlds,I am Sam),Jon Bernthal(The Punisher,Daredevil) and Oscar nomineeVera Farmiga(The Departed,Up in the Air). BMW Films has released a brief sneak peek and the first photos, ahead of the short film’s premiere next month
The Escapewill premiere on Sunday, August 06, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. EST onBMWFilms.com. The critically acclaimed original series,The Hire, included eight short films which were released in two seasons from 2001-2002. Each film featured then rising-starOwenas the mysterious Driver hired to complete various missions and was directed by some of Hollywood’s best and brightest talent.
BMW not only brought backOwenforThe Escape, but alsoBruce Bildstenas Creative Director,Brian DiLorenzoas Executive Producer andDavid Carter, who in addition to serving as a creative consultant, co-wrote the film alongsideNeill Blomkamp. The trio then brought together a group of producers and designers to bring the film to life.
WithThe Escape,Blomkampjoins the A-list stable of original BMW Films directors from the seminal project including Academy Award winnersAlejandro G. IñárrituandAng Lee,Joe Carnahan,Wong Kar-wai,Guy Ritchie,John Wooand the lateJohn FrankenheimerandTony Scott.The Hirealso featured A-list talent in front of the camera including:Gary Oldman,Stellan Skarsgård,Forest Whitaker,Mickey Rourke,James Brown,Don Cheadle,Madonna,Adriana Lima,Danny Trejo,Kathryn Morris,Marilyn Manson,Ray Liotta,Robert PatrickandDennis Haysbert.The Hirewas released exclusively online at BMWFilms.com and received more than 100MM views prior to the proliferation of high-speed internet connectivity and introduction of YouTube.
Season 1 ofThe Hirepremiered on BMWFilms.com on July 22, 2025 withJohn Frankenheimer’sAmbush, followed byChosenfromAng Lee, who would go on to win Academy Awards forBrokeback MountainandLife of Pi. The thirdshort filmin the series,The Follow, was directed byWong Kar-waiand featuredForest Whitaker,Adriana LimaandMickey Rourke. Rounding out Season 1 wasGuy Ritchie’sStar, featuringMadonna, andPowder Keg, starringStellan Skarsgård, directed by then up-and-comer and current multiple Academy Award winnerAlejandro G. Iñárritu. Season 1 was executive produced byDavid Fincher(The Social Network,The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and was viewed over 11 million times in four months.
Season 2 ofThe Hirewas executive produced byTonyandRidley Scottand debuted in October 2002 withJohn Woo’sHostage, featuringMaury Chaykin, and was followed byJoe Carnahan’sThe Ticker.Tony Scott’sBeat the Devil, starringJames BrownandGary Oldman, completed the series. After the first two films inThe Hireseries debuted online,Wong Kar-wai’s third film,The Follow, made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2001 to critical acclaim. In the media, The New York Times said, “The BMW films tingle with zest,” while Time magazine added, “It surely deserves the attention of discerning movie watchers.”
The Hireinspired the Cannes International Advertising Festival to create the Titanium Lion in 2003, to honor creative ideas that point to a new direction for the industry and redefine the creative landscape. Besides winning the inaugural Titanium Lion, the films went on to win the top honor in virtually every creative competition. They were named “The Best of the Digital Decade” by The One Show in 2011 and were named to the Clios Hall of Fame in 2009.The Hireseries was inducted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in 2003. Take a look at the preview forThe Escapeand the first photos below, and stay tuned for the short film’s premiere on October 23.
