Formula 1 racing is a tough sell in the U.S., but somehow that didn’t stop director Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13), writer Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen, The Last King of Scotland), and several top-tier production companies from giving Rush a green light. And audiences around the globe should be glad they did.

Chris Hemsworth as driver James Hunt

Rush follows the rivalry of two up and coming drivers in the 1970s – James Hunt, played by Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Snow White and the Huntsman), and Niki Lauda played by Daniel Bruhl (Bourne Ultimatum, Inglorious Basterds) – who quickly rise to the top of F1 and compete for the championship in 1975. But to say Rush is but a merely a movie about car racing would be doing it a disservice. In Frost/Nixon, Howard and Morgan delivered a powerful character study framed and informed by the larger events at play. The focus never left the persons of Richard Nixon and David Frost, and the film was successful to the tune of five Oscar nominations. Audiences can expect similar attention to character in Rush, which despite differences in subject matter, bears remarkable resemblance to Frost/Nixon.

Moviegoers will have to wait to see Rush for themselves. The film is completed (and looks very good, by the way), but does not hit wide release until September 20 of this year. This is perhaps to maneuver a bit closer to awards season but could be as simple as a wish to avoid competition from summer blockbusters.

Look for our full review of the film as release draws nearer. Until then – ladies, gentlemen…start your engines.