February 19, 2016 - 14:40 AMT
“Death Race 2000” cult classic gets revamp, Malcolm McDowell starring

Death Race 2000, the 1975 B movie cult classic from exploitation king Roger Corman, is getting a 21st century revamp, The Hollywood Reporter reveals.

Corman is producing Death Race 2050, which began shooting in Peru earlier this month, with Malcolm McDowell behind the wheel to star alongside Manu Bennett, best known for playing DC villain Slade Wilson in The CW's Arrow.

The new movie updates the concept of automotive gladiators earning points for killing pedestrians and their fellow drivers. Bennett is playing Frankenstein, the mysterious and almost unbeatable racer.

G.J. Echternkamp is directing Death Race 2050 from a script he co-wrote with Matt Yamashita. Corman is producing.

Also cast are Burt Grinstead (NCIS), Marci Miller (Viper), Folake Olowofoyeku (The Beaver), Anessa Ramsey (Footloose), Yancy Butler (Hard Target) and Charlie Farrell (Cantar).

“This is an amazing opportunity for me and millions of Death Race 2000 fans to experience the intensity, thrills and dark humor of the original, fueled by a terrific young cast, spectacular vehicles and side-splitting action, literally,” said Corman in a statement.

Universal 1440 Entertainment, a production entity of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, will release the film.