I have to believe this movie served some kind of inspiration for the much more successful Transporter films and T.V. series..the choice of George C. Scott seems a little weird..but maybe not anymore than when he played the lead in an Exorcist sequel..
shareI think the idea here is that he is playing a "Transporter" character who is retired, and comes back for the cinematic cliche "one last job."
So, his character is about being older, burned out, and doing this because he finds it's the only thing he knows how to do.
I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP! - Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood
He played a number of tough cops in his career, so playing one in another movie wasn't crazy.
Not like this where Charles Bronson would have made more sense.