Universal Pictures Joins Forces With Positive Entertainment For The Fast And Furious Music Tour

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 4, 2003 -- Universal Pictures has joined forces with San Diego-based promoter Positive Entertainment to present The Fast and Furious Music Tour, a series of all-day events that will bring the lifestyle celebrated in Universal Pictures' hit film franchise to cities across the U.S. for Summer 2004.

Both Fast and Furious films tapped into the underground street racing culture to deliver phenomenal results for Universal. The 2001 breakout smash earned more than $207 million worldwide and went on to become one of the best-selling DVDs of all time. This past summer's follow-up, 2 Fast 2 Furious, has grossed more than $232 million at the worldwide box office to date and is on track to surpass the original film in DVD sales. In addition, combined sales of the three Universal Music Fast and Furious soundtracks totaled over two million units, and the Universal Studios Consumer Products Group has over 35 licensees currently on board for the property.

Beth Goss, president of The Brand Group, Universal Pictures, said, "The success of all Universal's Fast and Furious initiatives illustrates the popularity and power of this brand. We think the music tour is another great way to bring the energy and excitement of The Fast and Furious experience to consumers."

Each all-day event in The Fast and Furious Music Tour will culminate in an evening concert, with the movies' soundtrack artists among those acts being targeted to perform. The rest of the day would be comprised of such activities as: In Car Entertainment (ICE) competitions; DJ battles; MC battles; break dancing competitions; urban dance/urban art exhibitions; car shows including exhibitions of cars from the movies and those owned by celebrities.

The Fast and the Furious Music Tour is Universal Pictures' latest response to what has become an ever-increasing demand for lifestyle extensions of The Fast and the Furious experience. Universal has also partnered with top manufacturers and brands in the sport compact car and performance market to develop long-term co-branded authentic products ranging from automotive accessories, specialty parts and audio equipment that the fans have readily embraced. The line has expanded to include a variety of goods for consumers who have embraced this dynamic lifestyle depicted in The Fast and the Furious -- including clothing and fashion accessories, collectible toys and artwork.

Over the past five years, Positive Entertainment has produced numerous Automotive Lifestyle events, including the highly successful Extreme Autofest series, which was sponsored by Dodge in 2003. Positive Entertainment automotive lifestyle festivals focus on providing the automotive enthusiast community relevant content, news, information, and entertainment. Each of these events contained attractions such as music components & concerts, competitions, exhibitions, ride & drives, and product showcases.

The MPAA has given 2 Fast 2 Furious a rating of PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned - Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13) for street racing, violence, language and some sensuality. The Fast and the Furious is also rated PG-13. Consult www.filmratings.com for further information.

The car and motorcycle action sequences depicted in The Fast and the Furious and 2 Fast 2 Furious are dangerous. All stunts were performed in carefully-controlled environments using professionally trained stunt crews on closed roads. No attempts should be made to duplicate any action, driving or car play scenes portrayed therein. Universal Studios neither condones nor endorses the use of any licensed products in any manner whatsoever other than in strict accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and speed limits.

Universal Pictures, is a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Davis of Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, +1-818-777-4918.