Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy Begins Principal Photography in Charlotte, NC

Principal photography begins today in Charlotte, NC on Columbia Pictures' Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy directed by Adam McKay from a screenplay by Ferrell and McKay. Set in the high-octane world of NASCAR racing, the comedy is produced by Jimmy Miller and Judd Apatow, with David Householter serving as executive producer.

Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy tells the story of NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) whose "win at all costs" approach has made him a national hero. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo -- dubbed "Thunder" and "Lightning" by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place. When a flamboyant French Formula One driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), challenges the "Thunder" and "Lightning" for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.

Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Leslie Bibb and Jane Lynch head a supporting cast. Other key contributors include cinematographer Oliver Wood, production designer Clayton Hartley and costume designer Susan Matheson.

Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy is directed and co-written by Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy), who authored the screenplay with co-writer Will Ferrell. Jimmy Miller (Kicking & Screaming) and Judd Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin) are the producers and David Householter (Just Like Heaven) is the executive producer.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About NASCAR Digital Entertainment

Based in Los Angeles, NASCAR Digital Entertainment (NDE) manages, directs and creates new business opportunities for NASCAR's broadcasting, new media, and entertainment programming ventures. NDE creates new and enhanced entertainment experiences for NASCAR fans, drivers, teams, tracks, and sponsors through television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital cable, new media, and original motion picture programming.

   For further information contact:

   Steve Elzer
   Senior Vice President, Media Relations
   Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
   310-244-7142
   steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

   Natalie Johnson
   Senior Publicist
   Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group
   310-244-3236
   natalie_johnson@spe.sony.com

   David Linck
   Unit Publicist
   dlinckpr@aol.com

   Heather Krug
   NASCAR Publicity Contact
   Rogers & Cowan
   310-854-8156
   hkrug@rogersandcowan.com

SOURCE: Columbia Pictures

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations,
+1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com, or Natalie Johnson, Senior
Publicist, +1-310-244-3236, natalie_johnson@spe.sony.com, both of Columbia
Tristar Motion Picture Group; or David Linck, Unit Publicist,
dlinckpr@aol.com, for Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group; or Heather Krug
of Rogers & Cowan, +1-310-854-8156, hkrug@rogersandcowan.com, for NASCAR

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/