Over 500 MINI fans gathered in 250 MINIs at the Paramount Pictures Studios lot in Los Angeles, California last night to see an exclusive preview screening of The Italian
Job.

MINIs of all shapes, sizes and colors from across the United States came to the famous “blue sky” studio lot to make up an elite crowd that saw the new film in a unique
MINI-only setting. Attendees had the film’s sound piped into their cars via radio and were served In & Out Burgers and popcorn in true drive-in style. The partisan crowd cheered wildly when the three Minis, in red, white and blue made their entrance and then took the film to its pulsating finale.

Jack Pitney, general manager of MINI USA said, “There has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding MINI’s starring role in the upcoming film “The Italian Job” and we were
delighted to have MINI fans attend the special MINI-only screening.”

MINI, the 2003 North American Car of the Year, joins a stellar cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def and Donald Sutherland in Paramount Pictures’ film, “The Italian Job” opening nationwide May 30th. A contemporary adaptation of the 1969 classic, which starred Michael Caine, Noel Coward and Benny Hill, this updated version of “The Italian Job”, directed by Mr. F. Gary Gray, pays homage to the original film and adds a modernized twist.

In “The Italian Job” mastermind thief Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) pulls off an amazing gold bullion heist from a heavily guarded palazzo in Venice, Italy, only to be double-crossed by one of his crew. Seeking revenge, Charlie recruits Stella (Charlize Theron), a beautiful nerves-of-steel safecracker, and along with his former gang, follows the backstabber to California where they plan to re-steal the gold by manipulating traffic signals and creating havoc on the streets of Los Angeles.

Inspired by the use of the original Mini Cooper, the new movie showcases MINI throughout the film, proving the vehicle’s agility as the three cars manoeuvre through traffic, careen down stairs, weave through subway tunnels and race down sidewalks as only MINI can.