janek cartwright: Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard's Relationship Inspires 'Hit And Run'

Friday, April 20, 2012

Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard's Relationship Inspires 'Hit And Run'

'The first year or so we were dating, we wrestled a lot with, you know, my past,' says Shepard, who also wrote and directed the movie.
By Kara Warner

Dax Shepard in "Hit and Run"
Photo: Open Road Films

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are putting their love on the line, so to speak, for the sake of their upcoming action-packed R-rated comedy "Hit and Run."

The plot revolves around former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Shepard), who busts out of the Witness Protection Program to drive his girlfriend (Bell) to Los Angeles so she can land her dream job. Their road trip becomes increasingly complicated and dangerous when they are chased by the feds (led by Tom Arnold) and later Charlie's former gang of criminals (led by Bradley Cooper).

When MTV News caught up with the fun-loving, real-life couple recently, they provided expert teasery and commentary as to why we'll all be dying to see them onscreen together in the film.

"The first year or so we were dating, we wrestled a lot with, you know, my past," said Shepard, who also wrote and directed the movie.

"Uncovering details of his sordid lifestyle," Bell added.

"The movie became a metaphor for that, for a couple dealing with people's past," Shepard explained. "So we put that in a car-chase movie."

"Of course," Bell said with a smile.

"Naturally, it's such an easy fit," Shepard agreed. "Where I am in Witness Protection and Kristen's [character] is a professor."

"Of course," Bell agreed again with a smile.

"Naturally. And, you know, I have an even shadier past than I've really let on, and that kind of becomes obvious over the course of me trying to drive her to L.A.," Shepard said.

"The sh-- hits the fan, basically, to sum it all up," Bell offered.

And if Shepard and Bell's witty and pretty adorable repartee doesn't entice you to check out "Hit and Run" when it hits theaters August 24, you should also know that there are a lot of fancy and fun cars in the film.

"I play one of the supporting characters in the film," Bell said. "The lead lady is played by Lady Lincoln, this 1967 Lincoln that Dax has ... "

" ... sunk our savings [into]," Shepard admitted.

"Yes, for years, [he] spent every paycheck on and put a lot of heart and soul into," Bell added. "He put race-car bucket seats in, 5-point harnesses ... "

" ... 700 horsepower," Shepard cut in.

"700 horsepower. I got this," Bell said to Shepard. "It's beautiful. There are a lot of cars in the movie."

"If you couldn't bring 500 horsepower to the table, your vehicle was not invited to be in it," Shepard said.

It's Summer Movie Preview Week, and MTV News will be bringing you exclusive interviews, clips and photos for the most anticipated summer movies. Get ready to gorge on inside looks at "The Avengers," Robert Pattinson's "Bel Ami," Kristen Stewart's "Snow White," "The Amazing Spider-Man" and more!

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