Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/139371
60 www.bigrigowner.com AUGUST 2013 By Brad Bentley TEST DRIVE From The Belly Of The Beast A behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood's version of a replica Presidential limousine Earlier this Spring, Big Rig Owner was given the chance to fly to California to do a test drive in the stunt car that would replicate the Presidential limousine that will be featured in this summer's White House Down movie. After featuring numerous custom trucks in our magazine over the years, we jumped at the chance to see how the Presidential state car was constructed and would perform. The Secret Service refers to the heavily armored real-life vehicle as The Beast, and it plays a pivotal role in Columbia Pictures' White House Down – the new action film from director Roland Emmerich, whose films, including Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, and Anony- test drive 0713.indd 1 mous, have taken in more than $3 billion worldwide. His latest film is an action movie on an epic scale starring the most recognizable home on the planet, which is very familiar territory for Emmerich. "Actually, that was the one thing holding me off – I wondered, 'Can I really do the White House again?'" laughs the man who had aliens blow up the building in Independence Day and sent the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy through it in 2012. "Ultimately, I wanted to tell this story because it features strong characters and a very different and unusual narrative, combining action elements with those of a political thriller of worldwide significance." The movie revolves around Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum), who has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting 6/7/13 8:48 AM