From filmmaker Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company (producers of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Amityville Horror") comes "The Hitcher," an update of the 1986 film of the same name.

Dave Meyers makes his feature directorial debut on the new thriller, which tracks the terrifying trajectory of Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) and Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton), a collegiate couple who are tormented by the mysterious hitchhiker John Ryder, a.k.a. The Hitcher (Sean Bean).

The young couple hit the road in a 1970 Oldsmobile 442, en route to spring break. But their pleasure trip soon turns into a waking nightmare. The initial encounters with Ryder are increasingly off-putting for Grace and Jim, and they bravely fight back when he ambushes them. But they are truly blindsided when he implicates them in a horrific slaying and continues to shadow them.

The open road becomes a suspenseful, action-packed battleground of blood and metal as, in trying to elude not only Ryder but also New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Esteridge's (Neal McDonough) officers, Grace and Jim must fight for their lives and face their fears head-on. — More here

— Rutger Hauer (who played the original hitcher) was originally planned to have a cameo in the beginning of the movie.

— At first the movie was planned to be released on April 13, 2007, but due to the early production it moved to February 9, 2007, and then to January 19, 2007.

— Despite being a remake of The Hitcher, the plot of this film bears much more resemblance to its direct to video sequel The Hitcher 2.

— Wes Craven was lined up to direct but pulled out.

— During early development, Kirsten Dunst was set to play Grace.

— This is Zachary Knighton's first major lead role film.

Collegiate couple Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) and Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) hit the road in a 1970 Oldsmobile 442, en route to spring break, but their pleasure trip soon turns into a waking nightmare after encountering the mysterious hitchhiker John Ryder, a.k.a. The Hitcher (Sean Bean). The initial encounters with Ryder are increasingly off-putting for Grace and Jim, and they bravely fight back when he ambushes them. But they are truly blindsided when he implicates them in a horrific slaying and continues to shadow them. The open road becomes a battleground of blood and metal as, in trying to elude not only Ryder but also New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Esteridge's (Neal McDonough) officers, Grace and Jim must fight for their lives and face their fears head-on.

1. Synopsis
From filmmaker Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes production company (producers of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror) comes The Hitcher, an update of the 1986 film of the same name.

2. About the Production
Actor Sean Bean, who stars as The Hitcher – homicidal hitchhiker John Ryder – in The Hitcher, admits, “I’ve never been a hitchhiker, and I’ve never picked any up – and I don’t think I ever will, now…”

3. Something new and not just do the original movie again
The Hitcher director Dave Meyers says, “If you’re going to update a picture, then you need to bring something new and not just do the original movie again.

4. The chemistry between the two young leads
The chemistry was evident from their read together.

5. A 1970 Oldsmobile 442
Another key character in the film is a 1970 Oldsmobile 442.

6. The heart of this movie is Grace and Jim’s relationship
“The biggest challenge, though, is that the heart of this movie is Grace and Jim’s relationship, which is something we really haven’t done before; in order for this movie to work, you have to believe in their relationship.”

7. That beautiful terrain
Director of photography James Hawkinson adds, “There’s wonderful skies and clouds there. Sophia has an incredible profile, so we did silhouette shots of her against the sky that were very strong.

8. Car stunts
“Kurt is the best stunt coordinator in the world,” states stunt man and stunt driver Corey Eubanks, whose career recently passed the quarter-century mark and who took a busman’s holiday from working on the Michael Bay-directed Transformers to be part of Bryant’s team.

The Hitcher - Interview With Director Dave Meyers
Music Video Wire - Jan 20, 2007
On January 19, Meyers makes his feature film directorial debut with “The Hitcher,” an update of the 1986 slasher flick of the same name from the production ...

Former Beach boy makes it to big screen in ''Hitcher''
Virginian Pilot, VA - Jan 20, 2007
She didn't answer directly but just said, "I'm in 'The Hitcher' that is opening this week." Telling her that I was set to interview her leading man, ...

'The Hitcher' remake pointless
Jam! Showbiz, Canada - Jan 20, 2007
If history is doomed to repeat itself, as the old adage states, that explains why Hollywood decided to re-make the nihilistic 1986 slasher flick The Hitcher ...

Zach Knighton on The Hitcher
CanMag, CA -Jan 15, 2007
Sean Bean may have some big shoes to fill taking over Rutger Hauer's role in The Hitcher, but C. Thomas Howell is just as important to some people ...

Meyers Catches a Ride on The Hitcher
CanMag, CA - Jan 15, 2007
Commercial and music video director Dave Meyers makes his feature film debut with the remake The Hitcher. Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company...

Behind the Scenes of the 2007 Remake of "The Hitcher"
About - News & Issues, NY - Jan 15, 2007
The cast of The Hitcher joined their director Dave Meyers and producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form for a press conference to discuss the remake of the 1986...

Moviehole at The Hitcher press conference
Moviehole, Australia - Jan 14, 2007
A remake of the classic eighties thriller, the all new 'Hitcher 'casts Britain’s Sean Bean in the title role of a grisly, manic serial killer of sorts...

Bush would be up for a pizza after 'The Hitcher'
Chicago Sun-Times, IL - Jan 14, 2007
Bush, 24, doesn't mind the carbs because she has a revved-up metabolism after spending the last year shooting a remake of the horror-thriller "The Hitcher," ...

Exclusive Sean Bean Interview
MoviesOnline, Canada - Jan 13, 2007
In his latest project, Bean stars as John Ryder in "The Hitcher,” a bold remake in which Bean takes on Rutger Hauer’s original role as the homicidal...

Sophia Bush Takes on The Hitcher
CanMag, CA - Jan 10, 2007
In the original Hitcher, C. Thomas Howell was the hero and poor Jennifer Jason Leigh was just a damsel in distress. In the new millennium, Sophia Bush is...

Zachary Knighton Talks About "The Hitcher"
About - News & Issues, NY - Jan 6, 2007
Zachary Knighton is a big fan of the 1986 The Hitcher and of old school horror films in general. That said, Knighton doesn’t view the 2007 The Hitcher as a...

Actress Sophia Bush discusses role in horror movie remake
Indiana Daily Student - Jan 8, 2007
Sophia Bush's latest character, Grace Andrews, learns the danger of picking up strangers in a remake of the 1986 horror film "The Hitcher."...

Sophia Bush the New "Wonder Woman" Favorite?
Rotten Tomatoes, CA - Jan 8, 2007
Moviehole.net reports a bit beyond what IESB.net was able to discover: That while spending some time on her press junket for "The Hitcher," Ms. Bush was...

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