Hot on the heels of its official release date announcement, the first stills from Ron Howard's 'Rush' have hit the internet via the film's official website. If you don't know anything about this movie and want to know why it should be on your radar in one sentence or less, here's what you need to know: Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl play rival Formula One drivers. Yeah. That does sound awesome.

Based on the actual rivalry between racers James Hunt (Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Bruhl), 'Rush' has the makings of an early awards contender for 2013. You've got an Oscar winning director (Ron Howard), an Oscar nominated screenwriter (Peter Morgan) and a cast full of impressive young actors just waiting for their chance to take home a golden statue. Not to mention, what's more appealing to Academy voters than true sports stories?

The actual tale of the fierce personal competition between Hunt and Lauda is absolutely thrilling and should make for an enthralling movie if done properly (the spoiler-averse should avoid Googling these guys, but trust us on this). Hemsworth is perfect for the charismatic, instantly likable Hunt and while Bruhl (who you may remember from a small role in 'Inglourious Basterds') is less known than the man who plays Thor, he's no less of a talent and should be perfect for the methodical Lauda.

With the September 20th, 2013 release date still a year away, those interested in this production can scroll on down to take a look at the first stills (including a shot of Bruhl and Howard talking on set) and read the official synopsis.

Still From Rush
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Still From Rush
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Still From Rush
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Still From Rush
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"Two-time Academy Award® winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon), teams once again with fellow two-time Academy Award® nominee, writer Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), on Rush, a spectacular big-screen re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

The epic action-drama stars Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) as the charismatic Englishman James Hunt and Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) as the disciplined Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda, whose clashes on the Grand Prix racetrack epitomized the contrast between these two extraordinary characters, a distinction reflected in their private lives.

Set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing, Rush portrays the exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivals the world has ever witnessed—handsome English playboy Hunt and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Lauda. Taking us into their personal lives on and off the track, Rush follows the two drivers as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there is no shortcut to victory and no margin for error. If you make one mistake, you die."

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