Branson goes AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Balloonist billionaire to make an appearance in Jackie Chan flick

By Patrick Sauriol     July 11, 2003
Source: Variety

Richard Branson, the billionaire businessman who founded Virgin Airlines and the retail chain, will film a cameo in Frank Coraci's AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Branson, who's also known for his promotional stunts riding in hot air balloons, will play a 19th century balloonist in the movie.

Branson's cameo is just one of many slated for the picture. Among the other celebrities making quick appearances in 80 DAYS are brothers Luke and Owen Wilson (playing the Wright brothers), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rob Schneider, Kathy Bates and director Wim Wenders. Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan play the film's heroes, Passepartout and Phileas Fogg, who are trying to win a bet by circumnavigating the globe in a hot air balloon in 80 days.


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