11 September,2013 07:11 AM IST | | IANS
Howard was earlier skeptical about casting Hemsworth as Formula One racer James Hunt but changed his mind later.
"It was uncanny. Chris is a surfer and although James wasn't a surfer, he projected a kind of California cool," Howard said in a statement.
"There was something about the way Chris carried himself and his body language and even what he was able to do preparing his own audition just based on watching an interview with James that was really exciting," he added.
"Rush" is based on the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda in 1970. Actor Daniel Bruhl will play the role of Lauda. The movie will release Sep 20.