For the sequel to the cult film “Manta Manta”, director and leading actor Ti Schweiger could not imagine using electric cars with the best will in the world, as he explains in an interview.
Stuttgart/Munich – As the most used and most popular means of transport in the world, the automobile has become an integral part of the film world. The According to one evaluation, the S-Class from Mercedes-Benz is the most popular car model in films and is particularly popular with bad guys. Also in the The models with the star appear frequently in the cult crime series “Tatort”.. Since the entire automotive industry is currently undergoing the transformation to e-mobility, one could assume that e-cars will also be seen more and more often on the silver screen. For example, in the Finnish crime series “Deadwind” the investigators are in one Porsche Taycan traveling.
Director and main actor Til Schweiger closed for the successor to the cult film “Manta Manta”, which has been in German cinemas since March 30th electric cars however vehemently, as he said in an interview with the Crown newspaper told. In addition, the controversial actor also explained that electric cars are significantly more harmful to the environment than combustion engines. The strange thing about the story, however, is that on the one hand an electric car appears in “Manta Manta – second part” and on the other hand that the eponymous Manta from Opel is now also available as a fully electric version.
Til Schweiger didn’t want any electric cars in his film – “but not in Manta Manta ey”
The film “Manta Manta” was released in cinemas in 1991 and made the Manta, from the German car manufacturer Opel, which at the time belonged to the American car company General Motors, a cult car. More than 30 years later, director Til Schweiger made a sequel to the film, although there were apparently considerations from the outside to use electric vehicles this time. “There were people who said that e-cars have to go in there now, you have to shoot with e-cars,” said Til Schweiger in an interview with Crown newspaper. “Not in Manta Manta ey,” counters the actor. “You can make the film yourself, I can’t get an e-car in.”
Opel Manta
The Opel Manta was a sports coupe produced by the German automaker Opel from 1970 to 1988. The vehicle was available with petrol engines with an output of 60 to 144 kW (82 to 195 hp) and had rear-wheel drive. The Manta was available in a variety of body styles, including the “Regular” Manta, the Manta SR, and the Manta GT/E. The Opel Manta was loved by many motorists and is still appreciated by many fans today.
In addition, in Freiburg im Breisgau (Baden-Wuerttemberg) born actors in the interview an often criticized point. “E-cars are much more dangerous or more polluting for the environment than combustion engines,” he claims. “It’s a scientific fact, but a lot of people don’t care about scientific facts.” Claim that e-cars are significantly more polluting than assumed, has been circulating for a long time. Despite his rejection of electric models, an electric car has made it into Til Schweiger’s new film: the character “Uschi”, again played by actress Tina Ruland, drives an electric Mokka – also from Opel.
E-car statement by Til Schweiger met with criticism online – “Drive cars with chimneys”
With the sequel to “Manta Manta”, Til Schweiger apparently wanted to arouse nostalgic feelings. It is therefore not surprising that the director once again relies on the “classic” Opel Manta. However, car manufacturer Opel, which now belongs to the European conglomerate Stellantis, has announced a new all-electric Manta for 2025, of which there are only prototypes so far. Apparently, these were not an option for “Manta Manta 2”.
In a Facebook group on e-mobility, Til Schweiger’s statement on e-cars met with clear criticism:
- “Drive cars with chimneys!”
- “There are no smartphones in my film. Just a Nokia.”
- “No silent man comes on my telly!”
- “Till is just afraid that his little eared bunny will drive through the picture in a Duracell car.”
- “There is no Til Schweiger in my electric car.”
- “Opel is further along than he is, but that’s pretty much everyone…”
- “Who cares what kind of cars an old white man likes?”
However, some users on Facebook are also of the opinion that an e-car simply had no place in a nostalgia trip like “Manta Manta 2” – at least not as a motorized protagonist. In view of the transformation of the automotive industry, it is only a matter of time before electric vehicles will conquer the big screen sooner or later. Even the cult film series “Fast & Furious” is switching to electric carsHow 24auto.de reported.
