“Speed Racer†- Slow At the Gate, Now In High Gear
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
After several years of sitting in neutral the big-screen, live-action version of “Speed Racer†is ready to hit the big screen fast track.
The Wachowski Bros. control the checker flag - which means the boys are behind the writing, directing and financing of the long-awaited project with Joel Siver producing.
The film will be based on the classic 1960’s series created by anime genius Tatsuo Yoshida. The stoy follows the adventures of the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering high-tech vehicle dubbed the Mach 5. The movie features other characters from the show, including Speed’s family and his mysterious archrival, Racer X.
This project has languished between various studios since the early 1990’s and it was only after Silver talked with the Wachowski brothers during the shooting of “V for Vendetta†that the possiblity of re-tooling “Speed Racer†once again looked to be do-able.
“They [Larry and Andy Wachowski] are approaching these racing scenes in a way you’ve never seen before,†said Silver, adding that the brothers are designing the movie’s look as they write. Silver also said that unlike the more adult-oriented material of the Wachowskis’ past â€" “Vendetta,†the “Matrix†movies and “Bound†were all rated R â€" “Speed†will be family-friendly.
“They wanted to do something that could appeal to everybody,†Silver said.
The plan is for the Wachowskis to shoot in summer 2007 for a summer 2008 release.
Ricci Joins “Speed Racer†Cast
Christina Ricci has signed on to be part of the growing cast of actors to star in the big screen/live-action feature “Speed Racer.â€
The Larry and Andy Wachowski film for Warner Bros. already boasts of Emile Hirsch as Speed, and Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon will play the wife of Pop’s, who, in turn, is played by veteran actor John Goodman.
Ricci will star as Trixie, Speed’s girlfriend in this live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese cartoon series that centers on the entire Speed racing family. Speed drives the Mach 5, Pops owns and builds the racing vehicles, Trixie is the emotional support Speed needs and Susan is the strength and foundation for the whole Speed racing clan.
“Speed Racer†hits full throttle in June 2008.
Now to cast Spritle and Chim Chim. Lots of hiding in the trunk goodness.
I still watch Speed Racer, whenever I can catch it on TV. Im a huge fan of animation in general. And this was a show I would 'race' home from school to see(pun intended).
Speed Racer simply rocked. I loved it. I couldn't wait to get home from school and watch it.
I loved the big eyes and mouth movement that didn't line up with the actual sound.
Great show. I hope this movie turns out cool.
Go Speed Racer go!
I seem to remember there were some episodes (what isn't on UTube these days ?). Ok, who can recall the A-G list of abilities for the car ? It was a long time ago for me.
How about Mr Jennifer Garner :) to play speed ? or maybe racer x ?
AHhh, Speed Racer.. one of my all time favs as well. I saw about a month ago the planning for this movie and almost jumped out of my chair. My poor wife didn't know what to do! As for Speed, I do see Johnie Depp...As for Jennifer Garner playing Speed, well, all I can say is, what the heck happened to Starbuck!??? :)
"How about Mr Jennifer Garner to play speed ? or maybe racer x ?"
Mr Garner.....Ben Affleck
I would be ok if he were Racer X
Kirk-Fu, yeah, I can see Ben playing Speed maybe. I think more likely Racer X though. How about Milo from Heros as Speed??
Matthew Fox, who plays Dr Jack Shepard on the hit TV series “Lostâ€, is in final negotations to play Racer X in the up-coming “Speed Racer†movie.
Fox would play Speed’s rival in the film, which is scheduled to begin filming this summer with a release date of 2008. Fox would be able to play the role during his summer hiatus from “Lost.â€
“Speed Racer†will be directed by the Larry and Andy Wachowski, who gave us “The Matrix†trilogy. Other actors in the movie include Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman.
Fox was recently seen on the big-screen in “We Are Marshall†and played Charlie Salinger for five years on FOX’s “Party of Five.â€
“Speed Racer†is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2008 release.
I don't remember the letters but the capabilities were
- Jump
- The remote control homing bird thing ("G")
- front saws
- glass roof top
- submarine mode
- special grip tire treads
- fog lights
I loved that show when I was a kid.... I hope the movie will do it justice
-Rick
That is cool news that Matthew Fox is going to be in Speed Racer. I am looking more and more forward to this movie coming out.
I agree...this is sounding better and better. Fox kind of looks like Rex -- from what I remember.
Porter Revs Up Racer
Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights) has landed a role in Warner Brothers' Speed Racer, which starts shooting this month in Berlin, Variety reported.
In a spoiler for the film, Variety reported that Porter will play Rex, the older brother to Speed Racer. Matthew Fox will play Racer X. Emile Hirsch plays the title role. The cast also includes John Goodman and Susan Sarandon. Andy and Larry Wachowski wrote and will direct the movie.
Speed Racer Details Released
Warner Brothers released a more detailed description of its upcoming live-action Speed Racer movie, from writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski and based on the animated TV series.
This is how Warner describes the film: "Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolizedâ€"the legendary Rex Racerâ€"whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.
"Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secretâ€"some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line.
"The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at its own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rivalâ€"the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)â€"to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible."
Speed Racer is beginning production in Berlin and is slated for release on May 9, 2008. It marks the Wachowski brothers' first writing/directing collaboration since the Matrix movies. Joel Silver, who previously worked with the Wachowskis on the Matrix movies and V for Vendetta, is producing the film under his Silver Pictures banner.
The film also stars Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer. Rounding out the main cast are Australian actor Kick Gurry as Sparky, Paulie Litt as Sprittle and Asian music star Ji Hoon Jung (popularly known as Rain), who makes his major feature film debut as a rival driver.
Honest to goodness I never, ever saw the appeal of Speed Racer. I don;t know why...I like anime, I like race cars but for some reason this show bored the crapoli outta me. That being said I am anxious to see a preview because the movie may turn out to be far more interesting to me....if that makes any sort of sense. I guess what I am saying is maybe a different medium would help my opinion of Speed Racer.
Quote from: Darth Gaos on June 05, 2007, 11:53:27 AM
Honest to goodness I never, ever saw the appeal of Speed Racer. I don;t know why...I like anime, I like race cars but for some reason this show bored the crapoli outta me. That being said I am anxious to see a preview because the movie may turn out to be far more interesting to me....if that makes any sort of sense. I guess what I am saying is maybe a different medium would help my opinion of Speed Racer.
I totally hear you Darth! My brother (two years younger) was a huge Speed Racer watcher and I just hated the show. I just could not sit through an episode and to this day I can't watch it. Forty years have not improved it for me!
Kevin
Wow.. the trailer is up.. I have to say not what I expected.. but looks fun.
Well after my first post on the subject and finally seeing the trailer I must say I am going to stick with my original opinion on Speed Racer. The movie looks just as dumb as the cartoon was. And how in God's name they got John Goodman and Susan Sarandon to play in this...Wow that must have been one big paycheck.
Oh dear -- I may have to pass on this one. I wasn't expecting it to be sooo -- cartoony. Car looks good and Matthew Fox will make a good RacerX (I would have picked Affleck - Mr Garner). The futuristic look doesn't work for me. Time will tell.
Here are some new posters for the upcoming movie
Here is the second trailer..
I have to say this look like a fun movie.. I can't wait for it.
A friend of mine works for a trailer house and saw this already and told me that I am going to love it..
Speed Racer sequel already in the works?
The big-screen adaptation of Speed Racer won't hit theaters until May 16, but producer Joel Silver says a sequel is already in the works.
In an interview with Collider.com, Silver said that the Wachowski brothers, who direct the upcoming film, already have ideas for a second installment.
"Look, they have a great story idea for a sequel to this movie (Speed Racer), we have a great idea for a sequel if it makes sense to make it," he said.
Target Markets Speed 'Mockumentary'
Joel Silver, producer of the Wachowski brothers' upcoming Speed Racer movie, told SCI FI Wire that Target stores will carry a 20-minute stand-alone documentary film about the fictional Racer family tied to the film's release.
"There's a short film that's going to be sold at Target starting right before the movie opens, which is a mock documentary about the Racer family, which was really great," Silver said in an interview while promoting the film. "It's a 20-minute documentary about the Racer family, with all the cast as the characters, not as the actors. It's a mockumentary, and it's great. And that'll be lengthened for the DVD."
Silver said that one of the appeals of making a PG film was the chance to create a massive line of toys and games based on the franchise. His previous collaborations with the Wachowskis on the three Matrix films and the dystopian drama V for Vendetta (directed by James McTeigue) were all rated R and didn't offer the wealth of merchandising opportunities that Speed Racer does.
"I always had a desire to make a picture with all that stuff," Silver said. "I walked into a Toys R Us a few days ago, and the entire store was just incredibly full of Speed Racer material. It was like Lion King or a Disney movie, and I've never had that before. And this morning my son had a cereal box that says Speed Racer. I mean, all that. I mean, McDonald's Happy Meals. I've never had that before, and that's all a part of what we are trying to do. We're trying to make a big, fun, family movie that everybody can appreciate."
Speed Racer opens May 9. --Cindy White