Celebrating and Speculating About the Unique Cars in This Year’s Oscar-Nominated Movies
Jenn Mitchell
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We love the cars in the 2022 Oscar-nominated films, and can’t help but wonder, “What would the characters drive today?”
While not nominated this year, Ford vs. Ferrari is one of my all-time favorites. Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
I’ve been a movie girl all my life. I spent countless weekends escaping into dark theaters savoring my popcorn and candy. My imagination ran wild, overtaken by the stories on the big screen. A detail I never missed was what cars were driven by the main characters. Sometimes the unique cars were especially memorable. Movies like Christine, Back to the Future, Transporter, and all of the James Bond movies, to name a few.
We’ve featured several articles about celebrities and their cars. I decided to flip the script and look at what the characters from Oscar-nominated movies are driving, and propose what they might drive today. We’ll also look at what some of the real-life actors are driving these days. Will Smith’s car collection is something to drool over. Are you ready? Let’s rev up the engines and GO!
Related: Movie Cars That Outshine the Stars
Drive My Car
The Saab 900 plays an important supporting role. Photo credit: SIDESHOW / JANUS FILMS
Of course, this best picture nominee has to top the list. It tells the story of a renowned stage actor and director (Yasuke Kafuku) who receives an offer to direct a production at a theater festival in Hiroshima. The festival managers assign a woman to serve as his chauffeur in his beloved Saab 900. When I met my now-husband, he drove a Saab 900, so it brings back sentimental memories to see one in this film. Unfortunately, the Saab brand is no longer in production. I’d like to see this cherry red 2022 Lexus IS 500 Sport Performance replace it in the supporting role.
Upgrade with the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance. Photo: Lexus
Related: Ghosts of Cars: Past, Present and Future
CODA
Photo credit: Apple
CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adults. The film CODA is a heartwarming story of a teenage girl trying to find her own identity as the only hearing member of her family of 4. Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Troy Kotsur’s character (Frank Jones) drives a rusty old Ford pickup truck. Troy enjoys embarrassing his daughter, Emilee by driving around town blasting music. If Troy could drive a new car, I recommend upgrading to the Ford F150 Powerboost Hybrid. I’m sure this is a truck Emilee would love too.
This Ford Super Duty is sure to do the trick. Photo credit: Ford
Related: 4 Things I Love about the Ford F-150 King Ranch Hybrid
King Richard
Richard Williams (Will Smith) drives a classic VW Bus. Photo Credit: W Blanco/BACKGRID
King Richard received nominations for Best Actor (Will Smith) and Best Picture. The movie tells the real-life story of Richard Williams raising his daughters Serena and Venus to be world tennis champions. The character drives a classic Volkswagen Bus. Even with duck-taped windows and cranking gear shift, it’s a great family car. I have fond memories of road trips in my father’s light blue VW Bus.
The VW Buzz is coming to the US in 2024. Photo credit: Volkswagen
What might Mr. Williams drive today? We think he’d love the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz as much as we do. Writer Kymri Wilt says, “So while the drive is futuristic, Volkswagen carefully transferred the genes of the iconic vintage microbus in the most symbolic and eye-catching way.”
Related: We’re absolutely Buzzing about the World Premiere of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz!
Being the Ricardos
The color of this classic Pontiac is EVERYTHING! Credit: BACKGRID
Nominated for Best Picture, Actor, and Actress, this film follows the lives of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo beyond their TV roles. Who can resist the classic cars of the era? I’d drive one of these today, but let’s consider if the characters existed in modern America. The Ricardos need a car that stands out and proclaims the American Royalty that they are. I found this fabulous concept car called the Ciel from Cadillac. Can’t you just see Lucy waving while they drive by?
Cadillac says, “The Ciel Concept reveals a bright new chapter for Cadillac design. A modern reimagining of the large four-seat convertibles of our past, it is the ultimate open-air expression of American luxury.”
The Ciel Concept reveals a bright new chapter for Cadillac design. Photo credit: Cadillac
Spencer
It wasn’t just the princess who turned heads in this car. Photo Credit: Everyman Classic Car Auctions
Nominated in the Best Actress category, Spencer is a biographical film about the late Princess Diana’s life. Miss Spencer drove many cars in her lifetime, the most memorable to me is the 1994 Audi 80 Cabriolet from Prince Charles. I love the unique dark green color with a white interior. Diana bucked tradition by driving an Audi rather than following the trend of British royalty driving British luxury cars. If Diana were alive today, she could upgrade to the 2022 Audi R8 Performance Spyder. Too bad it doesn’t come in that lovely dark green color.
The Princess Diana upgrade. Photo credit: Audi
Related: Want More Luxe for the Buck? Sedans Should Get Your Attention: 2022 Audi A3 and Audi S3 First Drive
West Side Story
The classic drama returns to the big screen as a dazzling acting, music, and scenery spectacle. Like Being the Ricardos, classic cars are often the backdrop of street scenes. What might some of the characters drive today? Rather than what the boys might drive, I think Maria should get her own set of wheels. After all, a head-turning beauty should have a jaw-dropping car, right? I’d love to see Maria in this red hot Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0.
Maria would knock the socks off the Jets in this car. Photo Credit: Porsche
Related: The Porsche Boxster Will Give You Your Freedom Back: 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Dune
What car should these characters drive? Photo Credit: Warner Brothers
Dune is nominated for Best Picture and tells the tale of a young man sent to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. While there are no “cars” featured in this sci-fi thriller, let’s imagine what cars the main characters might drive through the desert terrain. While still a concept vehicle, I think the Tesla Cybertruck is a perfect choice.
The perfect car for the cast of Dune. Photo credit: Tesla
No Time to Die
One of my favorite James Bond cars, is the Aston Martin DB8. Photo credit: Aston Martin
While the latest James Bond movie is only Nominated for Best Original Song, I had to include it on this list. I mean, what car lover doesn’t adore 007’s unique cars? I’ve long been a fan of Mr. Bond’s unique cars. According to the Aston Martin website “No Time to Die, features four Aston Martin James Bond cars—two from the past, one from the present, and a concept car that’s yet to be released! Essentially, the new James Bond film pays tribute to the Aston Martin legacy’s full spectrum.” It’s too hard for me to pick a favorite so check out what another of our writers has to say.
Related: Aston Martin Isn’t Making Anyone Pick Favorites. But We Are, Anyway
Well, there you have it. Do you have a favorite from my list of unique cars? the Aston Martin is my choice, although the Porsche is a close second.
