SPEED RACER Coverage Starts Here. Author: Bob Johnson Source: Warner Brothers` Press Release With a number of anticipated films being released in 2008, from Batman to Bond and beyond, Warner Brothers is banking on one of Japan`s most recognizable cartoon characters to grab their portion of the box office. In the weeks that lead up to the release of SPEED RACER, SciFi Japan will be taking a look back at the original series, as well as some of its other incarnations, courtesy of Tatsunoko historian James Long. So relive the most dangerous races, the mammoth cars, the car acrobatic teams, the desert races and much much more with SciFi Japan as we gear up to celebrate all things SPEED! In the meantime, here is an initial peek at the new movie, with much more coverage to come! From writers/directors/producers Larry and Andy Wachowski, creators of the groundbreaking THE MATRIX trilogy, and producer Joel Silver comes the live-action, high-octane family adventure SPEED RACER. Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, 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 idolized—the legendary Rex Racer, 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 secret—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 his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)—to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible. Slated for release on May 9, 2008, SPEED RACER 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. Grant Hill, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski are also producing, with David Lane Seltzer, Michael Lambert and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. The behind the scenes creative team includes director of photography David Tattersall, production designer Owen Paterson, editors Zach Staenberg and Roger Barton, and costume designer Kym Barrett. The music is by Michael Giacchino (THE INCREDIBLES).

SPEED RACER stars Emile Hirsch (INTO THE WILD) in the title role; Christina Ricci (BLACK SNAKE MOAN) as Speed’s girlfriend Trixie; John Goodman (EVAN ALMIGHTY) and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (DEAD MAN WALKING) as Pops Racer and Mom Racer; Matthew Fox (TV’s LOST) as the mysteriously masked Racer X; Benno Fürmann as Inspector Detector; Hiroyuki Sanada as Mr. Musha; Asian pop superstar Rain, making his major feature film debut, as a rival driver named Taejo Togokahn; and Richard Roundtree as Ben Burns. Rounding out the main cast are Australian actor Kick Gurry as Sparky; Paulie Litt as Spritle; and Roger Allam as Royalton. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action SPEED RACER will showcase the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski brothers’ films. SPEED RACER is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production, in association with Anarchos Productions. STAY TUNED!! Next up, How It All Started!