A shocking and deadly bus hijacking in Atlanta has left one of the actors from the 1994 film “Speed” reeling from the eerie similarities to the movie’s plot.
In a harrowing incident, a man hijacked a city bus in Atlanta, leading police on a high-speed chase that tragically ended with the alleged shooting and killing of a passenger. The chaos and danger of the situation brought back vivid memories for Hawthorne James, who portrayed bus driver Sam Silver in the iconic action film.
James, speaking to TMZ, expressed his shock upon seeing footage of the Atlanta bus careening off cars during the chase. The scenes of the bus bouncing off vehicles were reminiscent of the high-octane sequences in “Speed,” where a bus rigged with explosives had to maintain a speed above 50 mph to prevent detonation. However, James was quick to point out the stark difference between the movie and real life: in the film, he, along with co-stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, always knew they were safe.
Over the years, James has encountered numerous stories of buses being hijacked or involved in high-speed chases, each time finding it hard to believe. He revealed that when he was first offered the role in “Speed,” he turned it down twice, thinking the plot was too far-fetched. Yet, the recent Atlanta incident has hit him differently, especially because it resulted in the loss of an innocent life, which he found deeply upsetting.
The actor noted that it’s not surprising people think of “Speed” whenever a bus-related crime occurs. The film, which catapulted Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves to superstardom, has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Coincidentally, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.
James reminisced about the making of “Speed,” admitting that he had no idea they were creating a timeless classic. It wasn’t until he attended the star-studded premiere at Hollywood’s Chinese Theater that he realized the film was something special.
The Atlanta bus hijacking serves as a grim reminder of how life can sometimes imitate art in the most tragic ways. For James, the incident has brought back memories of his role in “Speed,” but with a somber twist, highlighting the real-life dangers and consequences that can arise from such violent acts.
