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| writer = [[Andy Wachowski]]<br />[[Larry Wachowski]]
| writer = [[Andy Wachowski]]<br />[[Larry Wachowski]]
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Emile Hirsch]]<br />[[Christina Ricci]]<br />[[John Goodman]] <br />[[Susan Sarandon]] <br />[[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]<br />[[Nat Wolff]]<br />[[Alex Wolff]]
| starring = [[Emile Hirsch]]<br />[[Christina Ricci]]<br />[[John Goodman]] <br />[[Susan Sarandon]] <br />[[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]
| music = [[Michael Giacchino]]
| music = [[Michael Giacchino]]
| cinematography = [[David Tattersall]]
| cinematography = [[David Tattersall]]
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| imdb_id = 0811080
| imdb_id = 0811080
}}
}}
'''''Speed Racer''''' is an upcoming [[2008 in film|2008]] [[United States|American]] [[film]] that is a [[live action]] [[film adaptation]] of the 1960s [[Japan]]ese animated series ''[[Speed Racer]]''. The film is written, co-produced and directed by [[The Wachowski brothers|Andy and Larry Wachowski]]. The film had been in development since 1992, changing writers and directors until producer [[Joel Silver]] and the Wachowski brothers collaborated to begin production on ''Speed Racer'' as a family film so the directors could reach a wider audience. Actor [[Emile Hirsch]] was cast as Speed, the hero of the animated series, [[Christina Ricci]] portrays Speed's girlfriend, Trixie and [[The Naked Brothers Band]] actor, [[Nat Wolff]] as Speed's stepcousin, Thrax, the evil toad (same as [[Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)|Witch]] from [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White]]). ''Speed Racer'' was produced in [[Germany]] at [[Babelsberg Studios]], where filming took place entirely against [[greenscreen]]. The Wachowski brothers also filmed in [[high-definition video]] for the first time, using a layering method to put both the foreground and the background of scenes in focus to have a real-life anime appearance. Marketers have prepared toys and video games to coincide with the film's release. ''Speed Racer'' will premiere on [[May 3]] [[2008]] as the closing film at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117983334&cs=1 | title='Speed Racer' to close Tribeca | author=Winter Miller | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2008-04-03]] | accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref> and will go on general release on [[May 9]] [[2008]].
'''''Speed Racer''''' is an upcoming [[2008 in film|2008]] [[United States|American]] [[film]] that is a [[live action]] [[film adaptation]] of the 1960s [[Japan]]ese animated series ''[[Speed Racer]]''. The film is written, co-produced and directed by [[The Wachowski brothers|Andy and Larry Wachowski]]. The film had been in development since 1992, changing writers and directors until producer [[Joel Silver]] and the Wachowski brothers collaborated to begin production on ''Speed Racer'' as a family film so the directors could reach a wider audience. Actor [[Emile Hirsch]] was cast as Speed, the hero of the animated series, and [[Christina Ricci]] portrays Speed's girlfriend, Trixie. ''Speed Racer'' was produced in [[Germany]] at [[Babelsberg Studios]], where filming took place entirely against [[greenscreen]]. The Wachowski brothers also filmed in [[high-definition video]] for the first time, using a layering method to put both the foreground and the background of scenes in focus to have a real-life anime appearance. Marketers have prepared toys and video games to coincide with the film's release. ''Speed Racer'' will premiere on [[May 3]] [[2008]] as the closing film at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1117983334&cs=1 | title='Speed Racer' to close Tribeca | author=Winter Miller | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2008-04-03]] | accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref> and will go on general release on [[May 9]] [[2008]].


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
Durin' the night at the zoo, the evil toad, Thrax ([[Nat Wolff]]) has escaped from the giant glass tank to raise the army of frogs (CGI version army). But Speed Racer ([[Emile Hirsch]]) is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer ([[Scott Porter]]). Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops ([[John Goodman]]) and Mom ([[Susan Sarandon]]). Pops designed Speed's car, the [[Mach 5]]. The owner of Royalton Industries ([[Roger Allam]]) makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie ([[Christina Ricci]]) and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X ([[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]), seeking to rescue his family's business and the racing sport itself.<ref name="details">{{cite news | author= | url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=41811 | title=''Speed Racer'' Details Released | publisher=[[Sci Fi Wire]] | date=[[2007-06-05]] | accessdate=2007-06-06 }}</ref>
Speed Racer ([[Emile Hirsch]]) is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer ([[Scott Porter]]). Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops ([[John Goodman]]) and Mom ([[Susan Sarandon]]). Pops designed Speed's car, the [[Mach 5]]. The owner of Royalton Industries ([[Roger Allam]]) makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie ([[Christina Ricci]]) and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X ([[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]), seeking to rescue his family's business and the racing sport itself.<ref name="details">{{cite news | author= | url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=41811 | title=''Speed Racer'' Details Released | publisher=[[Sci Fi Wire]] | date=[[2007-06-05]] | accessdate=2007-06-06 }}</ref>


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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*[[Christian Oliver]] in an unnamed role.<ref>{{cite news | author=Stacy Dodd | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968204.html?categoryid=28&cs=1 | title=Christian Oliver | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-07-08]] | accessdate=2007-07-09 }}</ref>
*[[Christian Oliver]] in an unnamed role.<ref>{{cite news | author=Stacy Dodd | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968204.html?categoryid=28&cs=1 | title=Christian Oliver | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-07-08]] | accessdate=2007-07-09 }}</ref>
*[[Milka Duno]] as Gearbox.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.milkaduno.com/news/070809.html | title=INDYCAR’S MILKA DUNO HEADS TO BERLIN FOR ROLE IN WARNER BROS.’ “SPEED RACER” MOVIE | publisher=MilkaDuno.com | date=[[2007-08-09]] | accessdate=2007-08-10 }}</ref>
*[[Milka Duno]] as Gearbox.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.milkaduno.com/news/070809.html | title=INDYCAR’S MILKA DUNO HEADS TO BERLIN FOR ROLE IN WARNER BROS.’ “SPEED RACER” MOVIE | publisher=MilkaDuno.com | date=[[2007-08-09]] | accessdate=2007-08-10 }}</ref>
*[[Nat Wolff]] as Thrax, Speed's stepcousin, the evil toad (same as [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film) |Snow White]]) has escaped from the glass tank to raise the army of frogs (CGI version army). <ref name="bios" />
*[[Alex Wolff]] as Lenny, Spritle’s Zookeeper cousin<ref name="bios" />
*[[Michael Wolff]] as Danny, Spritle’s Zookeeper Uncle. <ref name="bios" />
*[[Billy Crystal]] as Magic Frog Mirror, Thrax’s Father . <ref name="bios" />
*The [[Vulture]] as Thrax’s Pet. Thirty-six Vulture to destroy the [[Mach 5]].
*[[Mark Hamill]] as Anthony, Danny’s Zookeeper. <ref name="bios" />
*[[Eddie Murphy]] as Arnold, Danny’s Zookeeper. <ref name="bios" />


== Project history ==
== Project history ==
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In February 2007, the Wachowski brothers selected [[Babelsberg Studios]] in Germany to film ''Speed Racer''.<ref>{{cite news | author=Scott Roxborough | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if37c02bf3d9ac5319c19eb7f012063bb | title=Babelsberg feels need for 'Speed' | publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=[[2007-02-14]] | accessdate=2007-02-14 }}</ref> In the following March, Warner Bros. moved the release date of ''Speed Racer'' two weeks earlier to [[May 9]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Dave McNary | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960920.html?categoryid=2479&cs=1 | title=WB speeds up 'Racer' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-03-11]] | accessdate=2007-03-21 }}</ref> The studio received a grant of $12.3 million from Germany's new Federal Film Fund, the largest yet from the organization, for production of ''Speed Racer'' in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.<ref>{{cite news | author=Ed Metzger | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963955.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=New film funds gets up to 'Speed' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-04-29]] | accessdate=2007-04-29 }}</ref> The amount was later increased to $13 million.<ref>{{cite news | author=Christian Koehl | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977711.html?categoryId=2523&cs=1 | title=Germans to H'w'd: Look past Berlin | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-12-14]] | accessdate=2007-12-24 }}</ref> Filming commenced on [[June 5]] [[2007]] in [[Berlin]],<ref name="status" /> and was shot entirely against [[greenscreen]],<ref>{{cite news | author = Olly Richards | title = Emile Hirsch Talks Speed Racer | publisher = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = [[2007-11-22]] | url = http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=21537 | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> lasting 60 days.<ref name=lohan>{{cite news | author=Josh Horowitz | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1572602/story.jhtml | title=Emile Hirsch Talks About Singing Karaoke With Lindsay Lohan, Heading 'Into The Wild' With Sean Penn | publisher=[[MTV]] | date=[[2007-10-24]] | accessdate=2007-12-24 }}</ref> The Wachowski brothers filmed in [[high-definition video]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite news | author=Rebecca Murray | url=http://movies.about.com/od/thereaping/a/silver040107.htm | title=Producer Joel Silver Talks "Speed Racer" and "Whiteout" | publisher=[[About.com]] | date=[[2007-04-03]] | accessdate=2007-04-13 }}</ref> With the camera, the Wachowskis used a layering approach that would put both the foreground and the background in focus to give it the appearance of real-life anime.<ref name=theme>{{cite news | author = Larry Carroll | title = Wachowskis Go With Original ‘Speed Racer’ Theme | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = [[2007-08-27]] | url = http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/08/27/wachowskis-go-with-original-speed-racer-theme/ | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> The film will have a "retro future" look, according to Silver. The [[Mach 5]], the vehicle driven by the protagonist Speed, was an actual vehicle. <ref name="demon">{{cite news | author=Scott Bowles | url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-05-30-speed-racer_N.htm | title=First look: 'Speed Racer's' demon on wheels | publisher=[[USA Today]] | date=[[2007-05-31]] | accessdate=2007-05-31 }}</ref> The film wrapped by [[August 25]] [[2007]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Steve Chupnick | title = Susan Sarandon on Speed Racer | publisher = [[SuperHeroHype.com]] | date = [[2007-08-25]] | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6249 | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> The Wachowskis purchased the rights to the sound effects and theme song from the television series for use in the film.<ref name=theme/>
In February 2007, the Wachowski brothers selected [[Babelsberg Studios]] in Germany to film ''Speed Racer''.<ref>{{cite news | author=Scott Roxborough | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if37c02bf3d9ac5319c19eb7f012063bb | title=Babelsberg feels need for 'Speed' | publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=[[2007-02-14]] | accessdate=2007-02-14 }}</ref> In the following March, Warner Bros. moved the release date of ''Speed Racer'' two weeks earlier to [[May 9]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Dave McNary | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960920.html?categoryid=2479&cs=1 | title=WB speeds up 'Racer' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-03-11]] | accessdate=2007-03-21 }}</ref> The studio received a grant of $12.3 million from Germany's new Federal Film Fund, the largest yet from the organization, for production of ''Speed Racer'' in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.<ref>{{cite news | author=Ed Metzger | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963955.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=New film funds gets up to 'Speed' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-04-29]] | accessdate=2007-04-29 }}</ref> The amount was later increased to $13 million.<ref>{{cite news | author=Christian Koehl | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977711.html?categoryId=2523&cs=1 | title=Germans to H'w'd: Look past Berlin | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-12-14]] | accessdate=2007-12-24 }}</ref> Filming commenced on [[June 5]] [[2007]] in [[Berlin]],<ref name="status" /> and was shot entirely against [[greenscreen]],<ref>{{cite news | author = Olly Richards | title = Emile Hirsch Talks Speed Racer | publisher = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = [[2007-11-22]] | url = http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=21537 | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> lasting 60 days.<ref name=lohan>{{cite news | author=Josh Horowitz | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1572602/story.jhtml | title=Emile Hirsch Talks About Singing Karaoke With Lindsay Lohan, Heading 'Into The Wild' With Sean Penn | publisher=[[MTV]] | date=[[2007-10-24]] | accessdate=2007-12-24 }}</ref> The Wachowski brothers filmed in [[high-definition video]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite news | author=Rebecca Murray | url=http://movies.about.com/od/thereaping/a/silver040107.htm | title=Producer Joel Silver Talks "Speed Racer" and "Whiteout" | publisher=[[About.com]] | date=[[2007-04-03]] | accessdate=2007-04-13 }}</ref> With the camera, the Wachowskis used a layering approach that would put both the foreground and the background in focus to give it the appearance of real-life anime.<ref name=theme>{{cite news | author = Larry Carroll | title = Wachowskis Go With Original ‘Speed Racer’ Theme | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = [[2007-08-27]] | url = http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/08/27/wachowskis-go-with-original-speed-racer-theme/ | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> The film will have a "retro future" look, according to Silver. The [[Mach 5]], the vehicle driven by the protagonist Speed, was an actual vehicle. <ref name="demon">{{cite news | author=Scott Bowles | url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-05-30-speed-racer_N.htm | title=First look: 'Speed Racer's' demon on wheels | publisher=[[USA Today]] | date=[[2007-05-31]] | accessdate=2007-05-31 }}</ref> The film wrapped by [[August 25]] [[2007]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Steve Chupnick | title = Susan Sarandon on Speed Racer | publisher = [[SuperHeroHype.com]] | date = [[2007-08-25]] | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6249 | accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> The Wachowskis purchased the rights to the sound effects and theme song from the television series for use in the film.<ref name=theme/>

On April 2008, The Make-Up Artist will paint [[Nat Wolff]] with the frog skin and wear [[Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)|Witch]] from [[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]] (1937).


==Marketing==
==Marketing==
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|input = [[Dualshock 2]], [[Wii Remote]]
|input = [[Dualshock 2]], [[Wii Remote]]
}}-->
}}-->
[[Warner Bros.]] will also self-publish a video game based on ''Speed Racer'' to be released on the [[Nintendo DS]], [[Wii]] and [[PlayStation 2]].<ref>Chris Morell, "''Speed Racer'': ''The Matrix'' creators spawn the next ''Speed Racer'' game," ''GamePro'' 235 (April 2008): 38.</ref> The game will be released on the Nintendo DS and Wii in May with the film's theatrical release and on the PS2 in the fall to accompany the film's DVD and Blu-ray release. Due to a short development schedule, the studio chose not to develop games for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Ben Fritz | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969879.html?categoryid=20&cs=1 | title=WB gears up ' Speed Racer' game | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-08-07]] | accessdate=2007-08-08 }}</ref> [[Emile Hirsch]], [[Christina Ricci]] and [[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]] will reprise their roles for the game.
[[Warner Bros.]] will also self-publish a video game based on ''Speed Racer'' to be released on the [[Nintendo DS]], [[Wii]] and [[PlayStation 2]].<ref>Chris Morell, "''Speed Racer'': ''The Matrix'' creators spawn the next ''Speed Racer'' game," ''GamePro'' 235 (April 2008): 38.</ref> The game will be released on the Nintendo DS and Wii in May with the film's theatrical release and on the PS2 in the fall to accompany the film's DVD and Blu-ray release. Due to a short development schedule, the studio chose not to develop games for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Ben Fritz | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969879.html?categoryid=20&cs=1 | title=WB gears up ' Speed Racer' game | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-08-07]] | accessdate=2007-08-08 }}</ref> [[Emile Hirsch]], [[Christina Ricci]] and [[Matthew Fox]] will reprise their roles for the game.


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on cartoons]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on cartoons]]



[[it:Speed Racer (film)]]
[[it:Speed Racer (film)]]

Revision as of 10:31, 10 April 2008

Template:Future film

Speed Racer
File:Speedracerposter.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed byAndy Wachowski
Larry Wachowski
Written byAndy Wachowski
Larry Wachowski
Produced byJoel Silver
Andy Wachowski
Larry Wachowski
Grant Hill
StarringEmile Hirsch
Christina Ricci
John Goodman
Susan Sarandon
Matthew Fox
CinematographyDavid Tattersall
Edited byRoger Barton
Zach Staenberg
Music byMichael Giacchino
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
May 9 2008
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$120 million

Speed Racer is an upcoming 2008 American film that is a live action film adaptation of the 1960s Japanese animated series Speed Racer. The film is written, co-produced and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski. The film had been in development since 1992, changing writers and directors until producer Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers collaborated to begin production on Speed Racer as a family film so the directors could reach a wider audience. Actor Emile Hirsch was cast as Speed, the hero of the animated series, and Christina Ricci portrays Speed's girlfriend, Trixie. Speed Racer was produced in Germany at Babelsberg Studios, where filming took place entirely against greenscreen. The Wachowski brothers also filmed in high-definition video for the first time, using a layering method to put both the foreground and the background of scenes in focus to have a real-life anime appearance. Marketers have prepared toys and video games to coincide with the film's release. Speed Racer will premiere on May 3 2008 as the closing film at the Tribeca Film Festival,[1] and will go on general release on May 9 2008.

Synopsis

Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer (Scott Porter). Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops (John Goodman) and Mom (Susan Sarandon). Pops designed Speed's car, the Mach 5. The owner of Royalton Industries (Roger Allam) makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X (Matthew Fox), seeking to rescue his family's business and the racing sport itself.[2]

Cast

Project history

In September 1992, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that it held the option to create a live action film adaptation of Speed Racer, in development at Silver Pictures.[18] In October 1994, singer Henry Rollins was offered the role of Racer X in the film.[19] In June 1995, actor Johnny Depp was cast into the lead role for Speed Racer, with production slated to begin the coming October,[20] with filming to take place in California and Arizona.[21] The following August, Depp requested time off to the studio for personal business, delaying production.[22] However, due to a high budget,[23] the same August, director Julien Temple, who was attached to direct Speed Racer, left the project. Depp, without a director, also departed from the project. The studio considered director Gus Van Sant as a replacement for Temple,[24] though it would not grant writing privileges to Van Sant.[25] In December 1997, the studio briefly hired director Alfonso Cuarón for Speed Racer.[26] In the various incarnations of the project, screenwriters Marc Levin, Jennifer Flackett, J. J. Abrams, and Patrick Read Johnson had been hired to write scripts.[27]

In September 2000, Warner Bros. Pictures and producer Lauren Shuler Donner hired writer-director Hype Williams to take the helm of Speed Racer.[28] In October 2001, the studio hired screenwriters Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring for $1.2 million split between them to write a script for the film.[27] Eventually, without production going underway, the director and the writers left the project. In June 2004, actor Vince Vaughn spearheaded a revival of the project by presenting a take for the film that would develop the characters more strongly. Vaughn was cast as Racer X and was also attached to the project as an executive producer.[23] With production never becoming active, Vaughn was eventually detached from the project.[29]

Production

File:Mach5 Comic-Con2007.JPG
The Mach 5 (shown on display at Comic-Con International), is designed to be driven, but it will be hung from a crane for the film's sequences and have its motoring effects computer-generated.

In October 2006, directors Larry and Andy Wachowski were brought on board by the studio to write and direct Speed Racer. Producer Joel Silver, who had collaborated with the Wachowski brothers for V for Vendetta and The Matrix Trilogy, explained that the brothers were hoping to reach a broader audience with a film that would not be rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America. Visual effects designer John Gaeta, who won an Academy Award for Visual Effects for the Wachowski brothers' The Matrix, was brought in to help conceive making Speed Racer into a live-action adaptation. Production was set to begin in summer 2007 in European locations for a summer 2008 release.[30] In November 2006, the release date for Speed Racer was set for May 23 2008.[31] Producer Joel Silver described Speed Racer as a family film in line with the Wachowski brothers' goal to reach a wider audience.[32]

In February 2007, the Wachowski brothers selected Babelsberg Studios in Germany to film Speed Racer.[33] In the following March, Warner Bros. moved the release date of Speed Racer two weeks earlier to May 9 2008.[34] The studio received a grant of $12.3 million from Germany's new Federal Film Fund, the largest yet from the organization, for production of Speed Racer in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.[35] The amount was later increased to $13 million.[36] Filming commenced on June 5 2007 in Berlin,[32] and was shot entirely against greenscreen,[37] lasting 60 days.[13] The Wachowski brothers filmed in high-definition video for the first time.[38] With the camera, the Wachowskis used a layering approach that would put both the foreground and the background in focus to give it the appearance of real-life anime.[39] The film will have a "retro future" look, according to Silver. The Mach 5, the vehicle driven by the protagonist Speed, was an actual vehicle. [12] The film wrapped by August 25 2007.[40] The Wachowskis purchased the rights to the sound effects and theme song from the television series for use in the film.[39]

Marketing

The film will be backed by multiple promotional partners with over $80 million in marketing support. The partners include General Mills, McDonald's, Target, Topps, Esurance, Mattel, and LEGO. The film also received support from companies outside of America in an attempt to attract international audiences. With early support before the film's release, the studio provided digital coding for the Speed Racer vehicle Mach 5 to the companies so they could accurately render the vehicle model in their merchandise. Warner Bros. is aiming to garner enough attention for Speed Racer so it would spawn sequels.[41]

Mattel will produce toys based on the film through several divisions. Hot Wheels will produce die-cast vehicles, race sets and track sets. Tyco will produce remote-controlled Mach 5s and racing sets. Radica Games will produce video games in which players can use a car wheel. The products will become available in March 2008.[42] Also, The LEGO Company will be producing 4 LEGO sets based on the movie.[43]

Warner Bros. will also self-publish a video game based on Speed Racer to be released on the Nintendo DS, Wii and PlayStation 2.[44] The game will be released on the Nintendo DS and Wii in May with the film's theatrical release and on the PS2 in the fall to accompany the film's DVD and Blu-ray release. Due to a short development schedule, the studio chose not to develop games for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[45] Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci and Matthew Fox will reprise their roles for the game.

References

  1. ^ Winter Miller (2008-04-03). "'Speed Racer' to close Tribeca". Variety. Retrieved 2008-04-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Speed Racer Details Released". Sci Fi Wire. 2007-06-05. Retrieved 2007-06-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b Ben Lyons (2007-05-11). "Extreme Sneak Peek: Speed Racer Is Cast, Gassed Up and Ready to Go Go Go!". E!. Retrieved 2007-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Filip Vukcevic (2007-09-17). "Exclusive: Hirsch Talks Speed Racer". IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Speed Racer - Bios". Warner Bros. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  6. ^ Stacy Dodd (2007-06-03). "Scott Porter". Variety. Retrieved 2007-06-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Shawn Adler (2008-03-31). "Keanu Reeves Says He Turned Down 'Watchmen' And 'Speed Racer' Roles". MTV. Retrieved 2008-08-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Stacy Dodd (2007-07-11). "Nayo Wallace". Variety. Retrieved 2007-07-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Rain to star in Hollywood film". Korea Times. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2007-05-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Tuya' actress to join Hollywood action film". East Day. 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2007-07-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Borys Kit (2007-07-02). "Roundtree is fast friend of 'Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-07-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b Scott Bowles (2007-05-31). "First look: 'Speed Racer's' demon on wheels". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-05-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b Josh Horowitz (2007-10-24). "Emile Hirsch Talks About Singing Karaoke With Lindsay Lohan, Heading 'Into The Wild' With Sean Penn". MTV. Retrieved 2007-12-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Jeannette Walls (2007-07-02). "PETA not monkeying around with 'Speed Racer'". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-07-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Edward Douglas (2007-06-19). "Melvil Poupaud on His Speed Racer Role". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 2007-06-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Stacy Dodd (2007-07-08). "Christian Oliver". Variety. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "INDYCAR'S MILKA DUNO HEADS TO BERLIN FOR ROLE IN WARNER BROS.' "SPEED RACER" MOVIE". MilkaDuno.com. 2007-08-09. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ BPI Communications (1992-09-03). "'Speed Racer' to become a film". Chicago Tribune. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Matthew Gilbert (1994-10-09). "Workman's got the beats". The Boston Globe. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Pacino, Depp To Star in Film On FBI Agent". Chicago Sun-Times. 1995-06-20. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Jane Sumner (1995-07-28). "Old commish now the new commish". The Dallas Morning News. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ W. Speers (1995-08-23). "R.E.M. is far from sweet on Hershey - it's suing". The Philadelphia Inquirer. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b Michael Fleming (2004-06-23). "WB 'Racer' is back on right track". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Column: NEWS AND NOTES". The Record. 1995-08-28. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Wesley Morris (2005-07-31). "The Minimalist". The Boston Globe. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Renee Graham (1997-12-28). "Stipe gets in on the producing act". The Boston Globe. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ a b Charles Lyons (2001-10-17). "Warners hooked on 'Speed'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Michael Fleming (2000-09-19). "Hudlin to service 'Sarah'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Borys Kit (2007-04-02). "Goodman, Sarandon on 'Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-04-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Michael Fleming (2006-10-31). "Sibs built for 'Speed'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "2008 is Slowly Filling Up". ComingSoon.net. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2007-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ a b Eric Moro (2007-03-03). "WonderCon 07: Wonder Woman, Speed Racer Status". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Scott Roxborough (2007-02-14). "Babelsberg feels need for 'Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-02-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Dave McNary (2007-03-11). "WB speeds up 'Racer'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Ed Metzger (2007-04-29). "New film funds gets up to 'Speed'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Christian Koehl (2007-12-14). "Germans to H'w'd: Look past Berlin". Variety. Retrieved 2007-12-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Olly Richards (2007-11-22). "Emile Hirsch Talks Speed Racer". Empire. Retrieved 2007-11-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Rebecca Murray (2007-04-03). "Producer Joel Silver Talks "Speed Racer" and "Whiteout"". About.com. Retrieved 2007-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ a b Larry Carroll (2007-08-27). "Wachowskis Go With Original 'Speed Racer' Theme". MTV. Retrieved 2007-11-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Steve Chupnick (2007-08-25). "Susan Sarandon on Speed Racer". SuperHeroHype.com. Retrieved 2007-11-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Marc Graser (2008-01-25). "'Speed Racer' aims for multiple tie-ins". Variety. Retrieved 2008-01-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Warner Bros. Consumer Products (2007-06-19). "Mattel on Board for Speed Racer & The Dark Knight". SuperHeroHype.com. Retrieved 2007-06-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ "Official 'Speed Racer' License in 2008". Eurobricks. 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2007-12-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ Chris Morell, "Speed Racer: The Matrix creators spawn the next Speed Racer game," GamePro 235 (April 2008): 38.
  45. ^ Ben Fritz (2007-08-07). "WB gears up ' Speed Racer' game". Variety. Retrieved 2007-08-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

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