Speed Racer film back in gear
Source: Los Angeles Times
Chim Chim must be doing back flips. Warner Bros. is back on track with development of a live-action film adaptation of the popular Japanese-cartoon series "Speed Racer," the studio said Thursday.
The "Speed" project, idling in Warner's slow lane for about a decade, shifted back into high gear after actor Vince Vaughn ("Dodgeball") sold the studio on his own concept for the movie, with Vaughn cast as the title character's mysterious big brother, Racer X, a studio spokeswoman said.
A previous incarnation of the project had director Julian Temple at the helm with Johnny Depp on board to star, but the trade paper Daily Variety said that version stalled over budget considerations.
hmmmmm
Are the Wachowskis on Speed?
IGNFF has heard an interesting rumor!
IGN FilmForce was recently informed by a longtime source that Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creative force behind The Matrix trilogy, may write and direct the live-action, feature film version of Speed Racer for Joel Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. The long-in-development project is based on the classic Japanese cartoon.
None of the parties involved would go on the record when asked about the project. Inquiries to Warners and the Wachowskis' publicist went unanswered by publishing time.
Silver Pictures said it would not comment about any potential project that may or may not be in an early stage of development. Read into that comment what you will.
So where does this leave Vince Vaughn, who sold his pitch for a Speed Racer movie to Warners in June 2004? Will he still co-star as the title character's brother Racer X in a possible Wachowskis version? When asked if their client was still attached to Speed Racer, Vaughn's reps at UTA had "no comment."
Speed Racer Update
Is Vince Vaughn in or out?
IGN FilmForce recently broke the news that Matrix filmmakers Larry and Andy Wachowski were going to write and direct the live-action version of the cartoon classic Speed Racer for Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver.
What was unclear at that time was whether Vince Vaughn was still involved with the project. Vaughn sold his pitch for a Speed Racer movie to Warners in June 2004. The Wachowskis' involvement raised some questions about Vaughn's participation and, at that time, none of the parties in question would confirm or deny whether the actor was still attached.
IGN FilmForce can now report, however, that Vaughn remains involved with Speed Racer and is still likely to take a supporting role in the film as well, probably as the title character's big brother, Racer X.
Sources also advised IGN that the Wachowskis are starting work on the screenplay but that the project isn't expected to go before cameras anytime soon.
'Speed' hits live-action high gear
Source: Hollywood Reporter
After years of idling, the big-screen, live-action version of "Speed Racer" is ready to zoom, this time with Larry and Andy Wachowski behind the wheel.
The Wachowski brothers are writing and will direct the movie, which will be produced by Joel Silver. The movie will be the duo's first directorial outing since completing the Silver-produced "Matrix" series in 2003. They are reuniting with several of the creative behind-the-scenes talent from the "Matrix" films, including executive producer Grant Hill and visual effects supervisor John Gaeta, who won an Oscar for his work on "The Matrix."
Based on the classic 1960s series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida that later was retooled for North American audiences, the big-screen "Speed" will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering gadget-laden vehicle, Mach 5. The movie will feature other characters from the show, including Speed's family and his mysterious archrival, Racer X.
Silver has been trying to get the film version off the ground since the early 1990s; in 2004, Vince Vaughn even pitched a take that cast him as Racer X. When Silver worked on "V for Vendetta" with the Wachowskis, he approached them about tackling the project. The duo were reluctant to do it unless they could figure out a way to bring something new to the table.
"They 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 -- "Vendetta," the "Matrix" movies and "Bound" were all rated R -- "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.
Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for the studio.
"Speed" will be a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures production.
Silver on Speed Racer
Producer gives an update.
Producer Joel Silver will re-team with his Matrix mates Larry and Andy Wachowski for the big-screen version of the cartoon classic Speed Racer.
The producer recently said that the sibling filmmakers were drawn to the project because it offered them the chance to tackle lighter fare after The Matrix and V for Vendetta, which the Wachowskis produced with Silver.
"They said they'd never work again [after] the Matrix sequels," Silver advised Empire magazine. "At the end of the first couple of days the studio was able to forecast what (V for Vendetta) would make domestically, which was $70 million+. That was great. The movie didn't cost very much, so everyone was very happy."
He continued, "The next weekend Ice Age 2 opened with $70 million and the boys thought that was very interesting...They wanted to make a big family entertainment."
As for the film's story, Silver would reveal that, "It's the story of Speed Racer, but in a way that you've never seen anything like that before in your life. The Wachowskis brought a tremendous sense of wonder and magic to that story. They just had a different way of seeing the story, in the way they do on everything they do. And we're going to shoot all of that in Germany."
Wait. What.
Quote from: Losing the Horse: on December 12, 2006, 09:22:03 PM
Wait. What.
it's joel silver. the human equivalent of a talking piece of shit.
Quote from: MacGuffin on December 12, 2006, 08:13:57 PMHe continued, "The next weekend Ice Age 2 opened with $70 million and the boys thought that was very interesting...They wanted to make a big family entertainment."
so they don't want to make anymore movies unless they have big opening weekends?...
Quote from: ©brad on December 13, 2006, 08:49:34 AMso they don't want to make anymore movies unless they have big opening weekends?...
The divorce and the sex change must have cleaned 'em out. :yabbse-undecided:
Speed Racer Cast?
Musical star linked with title role.
Have the Wachowski brothers found their Speed Racer? The rumor mill is suggesting that High School Musical star Zac Efron has won the role.
The thesp is reportedly "in talks" to play the title role in the Warners pic. According to the site Just Jared, "Zac, 19, was even granted permission by Disney to leave the High School Musical 2 set for a day so that he could attend the Speed Racer callback audition."
Efron's big-screen breakthrough will come in the forthcoming feature film version of the musical Hairspray, wherein he plays Link Larkin.
The Wachowskis reportedly want to make Speed Racer G-rated family entertainment, and the casting of a teen star who made his mark on the Disney Channel would certainly signify a move in that direction.
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Hirsch picks up 'Speed'
Actor in the driver's seat
Source: Variety
Emile Hirsch is in final talks to star in the Wachowski brothers' "Speed Racer" for producer Joel Silver and Warner Bros. Pictures, putting the tentpole project into full throttle.
Based on the 1960s Japanese cartoon series by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, pic will follow the adventures of the youthful Speed -- played by Hirsch -- as he tries to obtain victory in his tricked-out Mach 5 racecar, built by his father.
Speed is often bailed out of danger by Racer X, a rival with a mysterious connection to Speed. Part has not been cast.
Warners recently moved up the opening date of "Speed Racer" two weeks to May 9, 2008 and will release it day-and-date in most international markets.
Film marks Larry and Andy Wachowski's first directing effort since the "Matrix" trilogy, which Silver produced through his Warners-based Silver Pictures banner. The brothers penned 2005's "V for Vendetta."
Warners and Village Roadshow Pictures are co-financing "Speed Racer," which begins production this summer.
Hirsch ("Lords of Dogtown") is next in theaters with "Into the Wild," directed by Sean Penn. Film, which Paramount Vantage releases this fall, is based on Jon Krakauer's nonfiction tome about the life and death of Christopher McCandless, who abandoned his life to move to the Alaskan wilderness.
Silver produced three pics for Warners that bow this year: "The Invasion," starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig; "The Brave One," starring Jodie Foster; and holiday laffer "Fred Claus," starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti.
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Your move, Joel Silver...
Hirsch Talks Speed Racer
The newly minted star of the Wachowskis' next film.
Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog) is set to star in the title role of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' new actioner Speed Racer, under the direction of the Wachowski brothers. Although the Hollywood trades reported the casting earlier this week, the official announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Robinov said in a statement, "Emile Hirsch is one of today's fastest-rising young stars, which makes him the perfect choice to take the wheel of Speed's Mach 5. He continues to showcase his talents in a variety of challenging roles and we are thrilled to have him in the title role of Speed Racer."
Hirsch recorded a video message to Speed Racer fans, which is posted at YouTube.com. "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be in a movie like this with guys like Larry and Andy, who made The Matrix, which is just one of my favorite trilogies of all time. It's just a new vision, something you've never really seen before. It's futuristic, like Blade Runner meets Andy Warhol kind of pop art and just this kind of colorful world. There's something about racing. In America everybody has a car so everybody can be Speed in a weird way. One of the dangerous parts of the audition process for me was I'd get into the character of Speed and I'd be like driving home after the audition like (mimics racecar noise). You gotta be careful driving. It's crazy."
Slated for release on May 9, 2008, Speed Racer is being written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, and produced by Joel Silver under his Silver Pictures banner.
Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action Speed Racer will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory on and off the track in his thundering Mach 5. The film will feature other characters that fans of the show will remember, including Speed's family and his mysterious arch-rival, Racer X. The new high-octane actioner will combine the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowskis' films, bringing Speed Racer into the 21st century.
Goodman, Sarandon on 'Speed'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are in negotiations to play the parents of Emile Hirsch in "Speed Racer," the live-action version of the anime cartoon being directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski.
Based on the classic 1960s series that was created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida and retooled for North American audiences, "Speed" follows the adventures of young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden vehicle Mach 5.
The show revolved around Speed's family, and the Wachowskis are being selective about who they pick for those roles. Goodman is playing Pops, a race car owner and builder. Sarandon's character is the backbone of the family as well as the Mach 5 Go Racing Team.
Casting is under way for the characters of Speed's girlfriend, Trixie, and his mysterious archrival, Racer X.
The plan is for the Wachowskis, who are writing and directing, to shoot in Germany in the summer for a summer 2008 release.
Ricci scores date with 'Speed'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Christina Ricci is joining Larry and Andy Wachowski's live-action adaptation of the 1960s cartoon "Speed Racer" for Warner Bros. Pictures and producer Joel Silver.
Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman already have boarded the high-octane project, which is based on the anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida for Japanese audiences and later imported to the U.S.
"Speed" centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden vehicle Mach 5. Ricci will star as Speed's girlfriend Trixie, his formidable ally on and off the track.
The show revolved around Speed's family. In the big-screen adaptation, Goodman will play Pops, a race car owner and builder. Sarandon is on board as Pops' wife, the backbone of the family as well as the Mach 5 Go Racing Team.
The Wachowskis, who are writing and directing, are eyeing a summer shoot in Berlin with a summer 2008 release.
Fox tunes up for Warners' 'Speed' ride
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Larry and Andy Wachowski have added another two passengers to their "Speed Racer" vehicle. Matthew Fox is in final negotiations to play Racer X in the live-action update of the 1960s cartoon for Warner Bros. Pictures and producer Joel Silver.
In addition, Aussie actor Kick Gurry is in negotiations to play Sparky, Speed's hippie mechanic.
Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman already are on board the film, which will shoot in the summer in Berlin. "Speed" centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden Mach 5. Fox will play Speed's mysterious racing rival, an enigmatic soldier of fortune.
The "Lost" star will fit "Speed Racer" in around the series' summer hiatus.
The Wachowskis are writing and directing, with the studio eyeing a summer 2008 bow.
Mathew Fox? Not bad.
So far the casting of this looks very cool.
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First look: 'Speed Racer's' demon on wheels
Revvin' up the powerful Mach 5: The car from the live-action version of Speed Racer is based on the one from the original cartoon, but with a more modern look.
Source: USA Today
Emile Hirsch was 6 years old when he saw his first episode of the cartoon Speed Racer and, more important, caught glimpse of the Mach 5.
"It was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen," Hirsch says by phone from Germany, where filming will begin next week on the movie adaptation. "That's when I started thinking it would be great to be on TV. And have one of those."
Sixteen years later, he finally got behind the wheel of the speedster, which gets its first look here and will be at the heart of the film, due May 9, 2008.
"My first thought was, 'Yeah, they got the car right,' " he says. "That's one of the best things about the show, so it was always going to be one of the most important parts of the movie."
That and the return of Andy and Larry Wachowski, the brothers who are making their first directorial effort since The Matrix trilogy.
Like Hirsch, the brothers grew up on the popular 1960s Japanese cartoon about the adventures of a racing family — and its pet chimpanzee, Chim Chim.
"The TV show was the brothers' introduction to Japanese animation," says Joel Silver, a friend of the press-shy Wachowskis and producer of Racer and the Matrix films. "They fell in love with the genre. They said they'd been making R-rated movies their whole lives and wanted to do something their nephews and nieces could watch."
The film, Silver says, will have a "retro future" look and will center on Speed (Hirsch) trying to make a name for himself in the racing world despite the efforts of corporate giants to foil his career. The film also stars Christina Ricci as girlfriend Trixie and Matthew Fox as Speed's older brother, Racer X.
Like the Matrix films and the Wachowski-produced V for Vendetta, Racer "has a lot to say about remaining independent and thinking for yourself," Hirsch says. "The brothers weren't just looking to do the TV show on film."
Unlike those darker movies, Racer "is going to be very bright, very family-friendly," Silver says. "And it will have great effects like The Matrix, just with the car."
A car that will not see much time on pavement. The Mach 5 will be placed on a crane and most effects will be computer-generated.
One real effect, though: Chim Chim.
"They're using a real monkey," Hirsch says. "Just don't call him that. He's a chimpanzee. He gets upset if you call him a monkey."
'Speed Racer' Plot Outline Released by Warner Bros.
Those fine folks over at Warner Bros. have sent Cinematical an official Speed Racer press release which provides a full cast list, as well as lots of plot info...
SPEED RACER
From writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the 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.
The film stars Emile Hirsch ("Alpha Dog") as Speed, Christina Ricci ("Black Snake Moan") as Trixie, Matthew Fox (TV's "Lost") as Racer X, and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon ("Dead Man Walking") and John Goodman ("Evan Almighty") as Mom and Pops Racer. Rounding out the main cast are Australian actor Kick Gurry ("Spartan") as Sparky; Paulie Litt (TV's "Hope & Faith") as Sprittle; Roger Allam ("The Queen," "V For Vendetta") as Royalton; and Asian music star Ji Hoon Jung (popularly known as Rain), making his major feature film debut as a rival driver.
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.
Roundtree is fast friend of 'Speed'
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Richard Roundtree has cruised into Warner Bros. Pictures' "Speed Racer," Larry and Andy Wachowski's live-action adaptation of the 1960s cartoon.
"Speed" centers on young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden Mach 5. Roundtree will play Ben Burns, a racer-turned-commentator who is an icon to the fans and a hero to Speed.
Roundtree joins a cast that includes Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman. Shooting is under way in Berlin.
After wrapping "Speed," Roundtree will join Vivica A. Fox in the national tour of the play "Whatever She Wants."
Roundtree, best known for playing the iconic character Shaft, recurred on NBC's "Heroes" and next season will reprise his role on the ABC Family Channel series "Lincoln Heights." He recently completed the miniseries "Final Approach" as well as the telepic "Point of Entry" for the Hallmark Channel.
PETA not monkeying around with 'Speed Racer'
Source: MSMBC
There's more than speed racing going on on the set of Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci's upcoming film. A chimp bit an actor on the set of "Speed Racer" — and there are allegations that the chimp was beaten.
"We are in receipt of information that may upset you," PETA wrote to the producer Joel Silver, the man behind such megahits as the "Matrix" and "Die Hard" series. "We've received several troubling complaints from people who have been on the 'Speed Racer' set and report that the main chimpanzee 'actor' has been beaten and has bitten one of the human actors." PETA urged Silver to stop using the live critters and switch to animatronics.
"We appreciate the concerns of your organization," came back the letter from movie company Warner Bros. "We also respect the vision and choices of the filmmakers with which we work. Every option on a film is carefully weighed, and for this production, the decision was made to use live animals."
A spokesperson confirmed that a chimp did chomp on a young actor, but said that the actor was treated and the animal was given a rest. She sent along assurances from the American Humane Society that no animals were being abused.
PETA isn't satisfied. "No humane representative is closely monitoring those animals while off-set or during pre-production training, the very places where abuse is most likely to occur," the organization wrote back, "so we regret to say that the assurances you offer are meaningless."
The cross dressing bro and the monkey got into a fight. H I L A R I O U S
Wachowskis Go With Original 'Speed Racer' Theme
Source: MTV
In the grand-scheme of TV-to-movie translations, I've gotta admit: The idea of "Speed Racer" seems only slightly better than "The Honeymooners" and a few notches beneath even "Aeon Flux." Honestly, the show is beloved for the same reasons that doomed "Thunderbirds" - it's a tongue-in-cheek guilty pleasure, remembered for repetitive plot lines and laughably bad, low-budget visuals.
But here's the twist: The more we learn about what the Wachowski Brothers' are doing with their version of the Sixties anime series, the more it sounds like Speed really could become a demon on wheels.
"I just finished with the Wachowskis...I just came from Berlin where I was doing 'Speed Racer,'" Susan Sarandon told us over the weekend, talking about the flick that has her playing Speed's mother opposite John Goodman as the dad. "I can't even understand [what they're doing]. But I worked with the chimp, so that was really worth it."
Pressed for details, Sarandon revealed that the Wachowski Brothers have purchased the rights to the sound effects used in the cartoon, and confirmed that they will be using the trademark theme song. It's all part of their attempt to reproduce the cartoon in reality - but Sarandon admitted that she isn't quite sure what to make of it all, since she never watched the 'toon.
"Yeah, it's very saturated," she grinned, adding that the Wachowskis showed her a few minutes of brightly-colored footage before she left the Germany set. "I've only seen a little tiny bit of it, but it's much more complicated than 'Willy Wonka', in the way that they've done the backgrounds and all that. It should be fun."
The actress also elaborated on the innovative high-def camera the Wachowskis are using for the May '08 flick - which could yield a groundbreaking new style much like "bullet-time" did when they put it in "The Matrix."
"[All] of it is in-focus, the front and the back, because they're layering the film," Sarandon explained of the technique, which hopes to make the live-action resemble real-life anime. "You know, in a cartoon, everything is in focus, right? Well, we don't act like cartoons - we act like real people. But it's very saturated, the look of it - it's not an animated process over us, there are real people in this very bright world. Every color that was not in 'The Matrix' is in this movie."
Exclusive: Hirsch Talks Speed Racer
The up-and-coming star discusses his character, his prep work, and working with the Wachowskis.
Starring as the lead of the new Wachowski brothers movie is no small feat. Then again, Emile Hirsch is no small actor. After his breakout performance in The Girl Next Door and his latest turn as a soulful youth who craves the wilderness in Sean Penn's Into the Wild, Hirsch is ready to strap into the Mach 5.
A fan of the show since he was six, Hirsch revealed that he watched every single episode in preparation for the role, even going so far as to visit Lowe's Motor Speedway where he hung out with world-famous driver, Jimmie Johnson, winner of the Daytona 500 and NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship.
But for the Wachowskis, you'll need more than just real-world experience. Hirsch admits that working with the extensive special effects took some getting used to.
"It's hard because there was real character work that he had to be doing, but it was against this green screen which is just tricky. It's real tricky to shoot on. You really have to keep the jokes flowing and have a good time. You've got to keep life in the room because the green screen will just suck it out of you. So making this movie with the Wachowski brothers, the jokes kept coming and we all had fun."
When comparing the famous directing-duo to his previous director, Sean Penn, Hirsch admits that the differences are vast.
"They couldn't be more different," he says. "They're just different people. That's what's so cool about what I have been privileged to do. The Wachowskis are very friendly, intelligent, funny dudes - very technically genius. Thinking that they invented The Matrix, that's just... wow."
In a movie with big stars and even bigger directors, Hirsch is determined to not let his character get drowned out. When asked how his portrayal of the main character, Speed, differs from that of the cartoon, he attests that he's trying to take the character very seriously.
"A lot of the characters are sort of goofy," he admits. "But Speed is pretty serious. I mean, he's pretty serious in the cartoon, but in the movie he's very serious."
The Wachowski's sure-to-be action extravaganza also stars Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox, and is set to hit theaters May 9, 2008.
Quote from: MacGuffin on September 18, 2007, 03:16:01 AM
"The Wachowskis are very friendly, intelligent, funny dudes..."
Quote from: MacGuffin on September 18, 2007, 03:16:01 AM
"that's just... wow."
oh wait, he is still a dude, huh?
nevermind.
First look at Racer X:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-A-MyCjk_g
Quote from: MacGuffin on December 05, 2007, 10:30:54 AM
First look at Racer X:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-A-MyCjk_g
no mention of the wachowskis AT ALL.
they're like hideous fucked up ogres that everyone puts up with only cos they're geniuses.
joel silver is their servant. there's a story in this somewhere.
First look: 'Speed Racer' wheels into live action
By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY
When it hit the airwaves in the late 1960s, Speed Racer was pretty innovative television — for a cartoon.
Four decades later, the story of a family that works out its issues on a racetrack seems a little hokey.
So how do you please a YouTube generation that likes its humor ironic and its special effects cutting-edge while pleasing baby boom moviegoers who still remember Trixie's haircut and Chim Chim's jumpsuit?
The brothers Wachowski (The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta) take a crack at updating the cartoon with Speed Racer, which gets its first look here and whose trailer runs tonight on Entertainment Tonight.
The film comes after an uneven track record of big-screen TV adaptations. Transformers was a smash. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Not so much.
But Racer, says producer Joel Silver, has a trump card — or two, actually — in Andy and Larry Wachowski, the gadget-happy siblings who were huge fans of the TV series, one of the first Japanese cartoons to make it to the USA.
"The effects are beyond belief. We called it 'car fu,' because it was like kung fu with the cars," Silver says. "We couldn't have made this movie until right now."
But effects, he says, take a back seat to the Wachowskis' true love of the old series: the cars, costumes and message.
"It obviously has a present-day aesthetic to it," Silver says. "But it's still a great yarn about family and not selling out. That's an important message to the (Wachowskis) and why we all connected to the show."
Well, not everyone. Christina Ricci, who plays faithful girlfriend Trixie, first saw Speed Racer in clips in Geico insurance commercials.
She quickly received an armful of DVDs to acquaint herself with the Racer family, which includes a monkey, Chim Chim. Unlike stars Emile Hirsch and John Goodman, Chim Chim required two stand-ins: Kenzie and Willie.
"You'd think that would be tough, using live monkeys," Ricci says. "Now we're worried about them stealing the movie."
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More photos here. (http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-12-05-speed-racer_N.htm?csp=34)
Quote from: MacGuffin on December 06, 2007, 12:15:10 AM
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More photos here. (http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-12-05-speed-racer_N.htm?csp=34)
my expectations for this just skyrocketed.
there's also an article on the page before that i didn't quote.
i think this might be the time when the wachowski's utter lack of.. self-aware humour (that's the only way i can describe it/referring to everything post-matrix), will pay off big time.
Trailer here. (http://video.aol.com/video/movies-speed-racer-trailer-no-1/2033773)
EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ0BXvF6HbI
i can't watch AOL clips.
AOL can suck my BAOLLS.
Updated.
thanks mac
that was awesome.
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LET'S GO!
hmmm? i thought Super Mario Bros. the movie looked good back in the day...
a girl I worked with told me she went to see the golden compass with her boyfriend with this as one of the previews. throughout the trailer she couldn't decide if she wanted to see it or not, because it looks cool but also really silly. then, during the silence before the trailer, some guy all the way in the back screamed "MAAAYYBE" at the screen. He spoke for America.
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i think this movie will look like throw-up tastes.
Will? It already does! Can you imagine watching over two hours of that?
International Trailer #1 here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aijo7ASrzCM)
International Trailer #2 here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNmrTXENFrs)
most amazing-looking bad-looking movie ever.
guh... looks like a Dreamcast game's bonus level...
Spoiler: I will have a seizure.
New Trailer here. (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808406004/video/6941080)
is it because all the trailers generate lukewarm and negative responses therefore they keep on coming out with new ones with different story arcs, hoping the audience would be confused enough to forget about the last trailer?
Quote from: pete on March 13, 2008, 02:07:44 AM
is it because all the trailers generate lukewarm and negative responses therefore they keep on coming out with new ones with different story arcs, hoping the audience would be confused enough to forget about the last trailer?
For the majority of the movie-going public "hype" is just how much publicity they've been exposed too. It could be the biggest, bloated piece of cinematic shit this year (my guess), or a revelation that not affirms the Wachowski Brothers "visionary" status... it won't matter either way. You put out enough trailers and enough billboards and people respond, "Let's see Speed Racer... I've heard good things about it." At least, for the first weekend, anyway.
When it comes to shit, those studios know their shit. Put something that actually IS good, or strange, or different in front of them and - to paraphrase Patton Oswalt - they're like Darth Vader with a basket of puppies... they go from articulate super-villians to near imbeciles..
'Hey Darth, how do you like those puppies?'
'Uh, well they're round...furry...to, uh, pet...here I don't really like puppies, here, take these.'
see: Where The Wild Things Are
i guess i'm the odd man out here but i think it looks pretty awesome.
it'll make one hell of a videogame tie in
This trailer made me realize I'm looking at this all wrong. At the end of the day, this is a Wachowski movie for 8 year olds, and it's probably going to be the coolest movie aimed at 8 year olds since maybe ever. But it's a kids movie first with fanboys and NASCAR freaks along for the ride (no pun intended). There may not be much for any of us here but I feel like it'll be an honest kids movie as opposed to the Dreamworks animated feature method of fart jokes, dated pop culture references and pratfalls. I give the Wachowskis that much credit.
that's no excuse. did the adults pffted at Indiana Jones when we were younger?
fuck movies
Quote from: pete on March 17, 2008, 10:19:51 PM
that's no excuse. did the adults pffted at Indiana Jones when we were younger?
Different situation. Indiana Jones wasn't made just for kids, I don't care what GT says. It was made by people trying to take the serials they got excited over as children and give them somewhat more mature sensibilities. This feels more like Tron, which the adults did pfft when we were younger.
Quote from: hacksparrow on March 18, 2008, 05:47:19 AM
Quote from: pete on March 17, 2008, 10:19:51 PM
that's no excuse. did the adults pffted at Indiana Jones when we were younger?
Different situation. Indiana Jones wasn't made just for kids, I don't care what GT says. It was made by people trying to take the serials they got excited over as children and give them somewhat more mature sensibilities. This feels more like Tron, which the adults did pfft when we were younger.
Indiana Jones was made for kids. It just dealt with a more familar subject. Because you see it in many different movies you think it's a film that is meant for adults as well, but its just that a lot of films have an intellectual and emotional maturity meant for eight year olds. Audiences have become soft in what they require a movie to have.
I think the Speed Racer could be fun entertainment, but it looks "childish" because it deals with a subject and look that has not crossed over into any broader appeal. You pigeonhole yourself when you start to call on the ghost on Tron. I think the only difference between Indiana Jones and Speed Racer is with the popularity of the type of story.
Quote from: The Gold Trumpet on March 18, 2008, 07:34:18 AM
I think the Speed Racer could be fun entertainment, but it looks "childish" because it deals with a subject and look that has not crossed over into any broader appeal.
That's pretty much what I was trying to say about Speed Racer in the first place.
I'm with cbrad, this looks fucking awesome. Ever since watching the first HD trailer, I've been sold on this. I'm seeing it at Imax this Friday, and despite it's low rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I plan on enjoying myself. Those critics seem slightly out of touch so far.
i think the critics, for the most part, are being unfair to the movie. there's obviously a lot of stuff to talk and debate about it , because it does some good, unconventional things to the blockbuster in the same way ratatouille introduced ideas which are more complex than the average morality lessons of a blockbuster for kids. it's more like metropolis than rocky, i thought. it's an inmensely interesting movie because of the fictional world it portrays and the way information is conveyed, both of which are absolutely easy to understand for an 8 year old of this generation, which is fascinating. we thought the old lady that was sitting right next to us was going to vomit with all those pastel explotions. i'm kind of blocked right now, but i was curious about what the score would be at rottentomatoes right after seeing it , cos it's a heavy case of love it or hate it. i was expecting more serious critiques even (or especially) if it's a kids movie. props to pubrick and picolas for having faith in the movie since the beginning. i caught interest when i saw there was a kandinsky in speed's classroom in one of the trailers.
Per my sources on Friday night, the movie has already tanked... I heard it made only 6-7 million opening day.
Dear lord did the critics miss the point on this one. Saw it in Imax today and it wasn't even a full house and if you can't fill an Imax screen on opening weekend you are FUCKED. I won't go so far as to say the movie is ahead of its time but I do think this will be looked back on fondly even if that's only by stoners. So out there and so innocent at the same time. What a blast.
Quote from: cinemanarchist on May 10, 2008, 11:25:07 PM
I do think this will be looked back on fondly even if that's only by stoners.
sadly, no... i was high as a kite and was still pretty board at most parts... it sould have just been "the kid and monkey show", that stuff was great...
on weed.
When I first saw the trailers, I was worried that this would be a blend of Spy Kids and "Yippee! Now this is pod racing." And while, yes, it does have some of those elements (it is aimed at kids after all), it also had a Dick Tracy overall feel to it that elevated it past total cheese factor. It doesn't have a Pixar maturity, but it also doesn't feel dumbed down to cater to smaller children. But those parts of the story are the weaker elements. The real reason to see the flick is because of the racing scenes. They have a great energy and excitement to them, and most capture the spirit of the cartoon.
Looks like it's not even going to break $20 million for the weekend.
it did. barely. 20.2
i still want to see this.
20.2 is the studios number and many in the industry are saying that it's highly unlikely it can do the business on Sunday to get there. Go see it...fun times.
The last 45 minutes are fairly enjoyable (from the ice cave onwards) but the first hour and change are godawful...boring and ugly. If this were 80 minutes, it would probably worthwhile as an enjoyable trifle. But it's not, and it's pretty much impossible to recommend as a result.
I take back everything I presumed about this film. I was fucking wrong.
This was strange, kinetic, and beautiful. It creates a landscape that's almost obscene in it's aggressiveness and renders it into something wholly original and immersive. It's a fever dream of a film.
It is simple on every level but the technical and makes no allusions otherwise.
It probably could have used twenty minutes shaved off of it's run time, but I still had a terrific moviegoing experience. If you have kids, take them, they will fucking love it.
i'm about 15 minutes in, and this is aw-ful.
I kind of loved this movie. For all it's imperfections, it's a go for broke deal and I have to respect that. This is of course way better than the Matrix sequels, and for that alone it should be considered a step in the right direction for the wachowskis.
Even though it is too long, they managed to recreate effectively the kind of energy and pumped up frenzy I felt when watching action cartoons like Speed Racer when you I was a kid. This is how it seemed back then, wild and loose. I bet kids are loving this shit.
I understand if people hate this, but to me it was enjoyable even in the bad parts. And yes, that stuff with the kid and the monkey was brilliant. I don't think I was able to hold back the laighter every time they appeared. That kid deserves his own spinoff...
Visually is incredible. I think critics dismising this film as "unwatchable" need to get a new job. This is 2008. Kinetic mtv style films are old by now. The first film of this kind was, what? Natural Born Killers? That was 14 years ago. It's like the idiots complaining about shaky cameras in movies at this point. We need to welcome every possibility of storytelling and visual design and language. Critics comparing this with the action crap out there really missed the boat.
Someday I'll watch this on acid. Im sure I'll laugh my ass off.
YES! Very much agree with Alexandro (except for taking acid... those days are gone and trapped in a bottle in the back of my brain, hopefully never to come out again)..
In fact, while I was watching this (alone) I said out loud "I kind of love this movie".
Totally get why people hate it and don't think any less of those who do, but boy-oh-boy it was a great ride the whole way.
i wish i'd written a better comment on this movie than the one i posted when i saw it, but i still love it.
Agree with these comments. I saw this on Blu-ray twice. It was really hard to follow stoned, and the second time not stoned it was like being on drugs, which I find of movies I think I should watch on drugs. Visually, it's incredible. I even love the story, although a lot of the details get lost for me (like why Rex was disgraced, but who cares?).
I loved the fight scenes too! My god, they were so inventive and visually beautiful. I agree that the Wachowskis have taken a step in the right direction, utilizing the imagination and inventiveness they brought to fight scenes with bullet time to the fight scenes in this film, especially the one in the mountains. That was just brilliant!
This film is supposed to be so much fun, and it's never truly bad. When there are so many truly bad movies out there, why hate this one? I fucking loved it.
This film may possibly find its way onto my top ten list this year. I fully expect to be banned if that does indeed end up happening. It was the most fun I had at the movies this summer and the imagination on these guys/gals is just ridiculous.
I liked this too, my only beef is that I wish the wachows gave a greater sense of the car's speed, I don't remember much POV shots so I felt it lacked those, other than that it was a fun film.
something for the whole family!
it was ugly in the beginning, but then you forget that you're watching an ugly movie. the ending is beautiful.
and the editing is coherent; you could tell what is going on!