By: MJ Reynolds, editor Bikeweek.com
Posted: May.10.09
New Orleans, LA - Sylvester Stallone
chose 10 Bourget bikes, plus bikes from the Easyriders Show
and Cycle Source Chopper Show during Bike Week New Orleans.
The bikes will be ridden by Stallone and cast members Mickey
Rourke, Forest Whitaker, Jason Statham, Jet Le, Dolph Lundgren
and other in the movie, The
Expendables being filmed in New Orleans (after 3 weeks
in Brazil.)
The story follows an "expendable"
team, hired to do jobs that no one else can or will, who
are sent to infiltrate a South American country to overthrow
the ruthless dictator and liberate the country.
"I personally choose all of the
bikes," said Stallone, who spent part of Saturday
and Sunday talking with Brigitte Bourget and her builders
at G.Smith Motorsports-Bourget Bike Works. The lot that
featured dozens of custom bikes priced upward to $90,000
was a featured attraction during the first Bike Week New
Orleans, May 6 to 10.
Stallone left with a deal to use 10
Bourget bikes in the movie, along with bikes purchased
at the Easyriders Show and the Cycle Source Chopper Show.
Stallone also checked out a Bourget
boxing themed bike.
Stallone toured the event with Larry
Oliphant, CEO of Bike Week LLC and Bike Week New Orleans
LLC, who thanked Stallone for his support. "You really
made this event for us," Oliphant told Stalone.
They share a mutual love of New Orleans.
In fact, New Orleans was hand-picked for state-side filming
by its writer/director/star. "Sly really loves New
Orleans," said his publicity director, Cheryl Main.
"This was his choice. And we're really, really excited
to be here and we appreciate the hospitality that's been
extended to us."
Arnold Schwarzenegger is also in the
film, although the governor shot his scenes in California
. The crew will be shooting in New Orleans through June.
'The Expendables' is scheduled to be released on April
23rd, 2010
Many celebrities have rallied to support
New Orleans . "We currently have a thriving film
industry in New Orleans ," said Frank Stansbury,
editor of La Fete entertainment and tourism publication.
"The pilot "Treme" has just been picked
up as an HBO series and there are currently three movies
being filmed in New Orleans."
His visit to the first Bike Week being
staged in the 1000 block of Convention Center Boulevard
came as a surprise to the event's owners.
"It was exciting,"
said Oliphant. one of three partners in Bike Week New
Orleans. "This is just the kind of support we need
to draw attention to this new annual event that will be
staged the same time next year, the week after Jazz Fest,
May 4th to 9th"
