In Conversation with... Ed Skrein & Loan Chabanol, on The Transporter Refueled (& more...)

On just the quickest of glances, it would be easy, and perhaps more than a little understandable, to just as swiftly write off the new stars of the freshly rebooted The Transporter film franchise, as just another couple of pretty faces. But there's far more than meets the eye with the multitalented leads of The Transporter Refueled, Ed Skrein (taking over from Jason Statham as badass courier/driver Frank Martin) and Loan Chabanol (as femme fatale Anna). As more deeply detailed in a couple of exclusive sit-down interviews at the Forum in Inglewood on Wednesday, August 26, the pair are not only deeply committed rising stars in the acting realm, but they are also gifted and accomplished artists in other areas--Skrein in the world music, Chabanol in writing and painting. Watch the two discuss those passions and their work in Camille Delamarre's high-octane action-adventure below.

The Transporter Refueled opens in cinemas nationwide today, Friday, September 4, from EuropaCorp.

(Special thanks to Mammoth Advertising, EuropaCorp, Ed Skrein, and Loan Chabanol)

The Movie Report #835, September 4, 2015

#835, September 4, 2015

MOVIES:

• Before We Go
  
• Bhale Bhale Magadivoy
  
• Call Me King
  
• Dragon Blade
  
• Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
  
• The Transporter Refueled
  
• Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos (Huevos: Little Rooster's Egg-cellent Adventure)
  
• Uppi 2... Unknown
  
• A Walk in the Woods
  

The Transporter gets Refueled at the Playboy Mansion

The Transporter Refueled, the fourth film in the high-octane action movie (and short-lived television series) franchise that began way back in 2002, may be the first big screen installment to not star the originator of title character Frank Martin, Jason Statham, but that didn't stop series producers, and now distributors, EuropaCorp from unveiling and celebrating the new film in high style. And what more supercharged way to reboot--or, rather, refuel--an ever-enduring, ever-macho series than by holding its world premiere screening and ensuing big bash at no less than the legendary Playboy Mansion. While the lord of the manor himself, Hugh Hefner, did not make a public appearance with the film's stars Ed Skrein (who takes over the role of daredevil delivery driver Frank) and Loan Chabanol (as a Bond-worthy femme fatale) or other special guests such as Anthony Mackie and Harold Perrineau that evening, the sexy, celebratory spirit equated with the brand he created was strongly present and felt the entire night. Whether through the iconic Playboy Bunnies in full costume mingling with the crowd throughout the expansive backyard grounds, the spirited dance performances on the afterparty stage, or the themed photo opportunity set on a full-size billboard for the film, frisky, feisty fun was the order of the evening. The video I shot below is but a small taste of all the excitement--which may not have ended up even approaching the naughtiness of the first event I attended at the mansion, some 11 years ago, but was nonetheless an event and experience as sultry as the summer SoCal weather.

Interviews with The Transporter Refueled stars Skrein and Chabanol, as well as a review of the film, are coming next week. The film opens in cinemas nationwide on Friday, September 4, from EuropaCorp.

(Special thanks to Mammoth Advertising, EuropaCorp, and Jason Spire)

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