Paramount Pictures Gears Up for Giant 'MINI' Premiere of 'The Italian Job'

More Than 250 MINIs to Ride the Red CARpet When the Big Sky Parking Lot Becomes a Drive-In Theater

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., May 14 -- Paramount Pictures will make film premiere history by creating the first ever drive-in movie theater on the famous "Blue Sky" lot, this Tuesday, May 20th. Exclusive to MINIs, this unprecedented event begins at 7:00 P.M., at which time more than 250 MINIs will motor down the red carpet for a special screening of "The Italian Job," an exciting new heist film starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, Franky G and Donald Sutherland. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray, opens nationwide May 30th.

A contemporary update of Paramount's 1969 classic, "The Italian Job" features the ever-popular MINI in state-of-the-art chase scenes down Hollywood's Walk of Fame, through the Metro Rail tunnels and down narrow escape routes only MINI can go. Full of twists, turns and exciting stunts with armored cars, motorcycles and helicopters, this action-packed thrill-ride takes audiences on wild curves they'll never see coming.

MINI owners from all across the United States, driving body types ranging from a MINI stretch limo and a MINI van to a MINI convertible and a MINI cabriolet, will make this event a wall-to-wall MINI photo-op like no other. An eclectic mix of MINIs in an array of colors, including British racing green, tan, chili red, avocado green, electric blue, silver, yellow, orange, baby blue, sea green, gray and black, are expected.

Watching the film on a 90-foot projection screen made out of white muslin that will be draped over the studio's renowned "Blue Sky," and hearing sound piped into their MINI's stereo system via a special radio frequency, guests will be treated to In & Out burgers, soft drinks and popcorn in true drive-in style.

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and music.

The film has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for violence and some language.

For further information, please contact: TV, Gail Silverman, +1-323-956-4721, or Print/Radio, Soni Ede, +1-323-956-8975, or Photo, Mary Beth Verhunce, +1-323-956-4602, or International, Frankie De La Vara, +1-323-956-5468, all of Paramount Pictures.

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