Dakar 2000

Dakar 2000 was a proposed film of the Dakar rally.

In 1999 Filmmaker Scott Vogel purchased the film rights to the 2000 Dakar rally for $75,000 advance, 2% of the films actualized $15,000,000 budget and a portion of the Box Office and Home Video proceeds to bring to market the first ever Dakar IMAX experience. Entitled "Dakar 2000", The screenwriting duo of Cash and Epps famed for penning the successful Top Gun film were hired to craft the spirit of the rally on paper to present to some of Hollywoods top talent. Keanu Reeves who early on expressed great interest in both competing in the rally and being filmed was coming off the success of the Matrix. Unfortunately, filming was halted indefinitely due to a pre-9/11 threat reported by the US State Department, C.I.A. and Interpol claiming Algerian Terrorist were planning to attack the rally by kidnaping contestants as they drove through the territory. A promise by the TSO organization to prevent or avoid such a catastrophe was appreciated by the films producers but the danger too great. The producers felt that waiting two years would allow them sufficient time to evaluate the safety of such a production. After the events of 9/11/2001, it was clear more time would be required before a responsible production could begin.