Aston Martin Chase In Latest 007 Film Required 8,400 Gallons Of Soda

Nov. 04, 2021 5:50 AM ET byMartin Bigg Movies & TV /3 Comments

Here's how it was filmed.

No James Bond movie is complete without a cool car chase with agadget-filled Aston Martin, andNo Time to Dieis no exception. Daniel Craig's final Bond film opens with anenthralling chase starring the iconic Aston Martin DB5darting through the streets of Matera, an ancient city in Italy.

By now, you've probably already watched the latest Bond flick which also features anAston Martin DBSSuperleggera and a Valhalla prototype for gearheads to drool ov, but this fascinating behind-the-scenes video by Insider reveals thesecrets behind the making of the opening chase. While most modern movies resort to using CGI effects, most of the stunts in the film were done for real.

Speaking with Insider, Special Effects and Car Supervisor Chris Corbould revealed that the idyllic city's cobblestone streets created challenges for filming a James Bond car chase. These ancient roads were slippery compared to modern asphalt roads, making them unsuitable for the high-speed stunt driving required for the film.

Stunt coordinator Lee Morrison came up with an unusual solution: soda. 8,400 gallons of the sugary drink were sprayed onto the streets. When dried, the soda made the surface sticky, providing better grip for the tires. The plan worked, allowing the stunt drivers to drift around sharp turns and race through narrow alleys.

Ten Aston Martin DB5s were used for the scene, including two real cars for hero shots and eight replicas. Two of the replicas were fitted with driving pods on the roof so a stunt driver could take over the driving for shots showing Daniel Craig behind the wheel pretending to steer.

Another memorable stunt involving Bond on a bike using a 25-foot ramp to jump into the town square took four takes to execute. But our favorite moment has to be the climax, in whichBond does donuts while spraying bullets with machine gunsmounted inside the headlights. For this scene, fake concrete walls were fitted to the buildings to avoid damaging the beautiful city and a line lock on the left front wheel allowed the DB5 to pivot on the spot.