By:  Eric Eisenberg

Thanks to an extended trailer that featured even more stunts, action and car racing than the Super Bowl spot (not to mention more Gina Carano vs. Michelle Rodriguez), Fast & Furious 6 has dominated a lot of attention today, but it’s no longer the only big car-centric action movie on the block. Dreamworks is quickly putting together their adaptation of the Need For Speed video game series with Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper already set to star, and today they’re stealing a bit of attention away from the established franchise by adding Batman to its lineup.

Michael Keaton, who has been absent from the feature scene since 2010’sThe Other Guys and Toy Story 3, is continuing his comeback by addingNeed For Speed to his upcoming slate. Based on a script by brothers John and George Gatins, the film is about a street racer (Paul) who is framed by his former partner (Cooper) and sent to prison. Upon his release he signs on for a cross-country race from New York to Los Angeles to get revenge. Unfortunately, his former partner puts a price on his head, putting more than a few roadblocks in the hero’s way. According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the casting news, Keaton will be playing the host of the underground supercar race “where he invites the best drivers from around the world.” Scott Waugh, who hit it big co-directing the real-marine thriller Act of Valor, is directing.

Keaton most recently starred as the villain in José Padilha‘s RoboCopremake, alongside Joel Kinnaman, Jackie Earle Haley Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish, Jennifer Ehle and Jay Baruchel. That film will be released February 7, 2014.

Source: Cinema Blend