the wachowski bros. Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Who's that guy playing a racer-turned-commentator in next summer's big-screen Speed Racer flick? Shaft! Ya damn right ... so says The Hollywood Reporter. Yup, Richard Roundtree (aka the original Shaft) has signed on for a role in Speed Racer. Can ya dig it? As I said before, he'll be playing Ben Burns, an ex racer who's settled down as one of them iconic commentators with whom fans (including our hero Speed) absolutely adore. Roundtree joins a cast that already includes Emile Hirsch (as Speed), Christina Ricci (as Speed's hottie girl friend Trixie), John Goodman (as Pops Racer), Susan Sarandon (as Moms Racer), Roger Allam (as Royalton) and Matthew Fox (as Racer X). There are a host of other minor characters (including a real-life monkey playing Chim Chim), but you can check out the film's main page to see who's playing who.

Based on the popular animated series, this new (and hopefully improved) live-action version of Speed Racer will go the family-friendly route, as in it's rated G. Does that mean Ricci won't appear half-naked and handcuffed to anything? Written and directed by the Wachowski Bros (The Matrix), pic will follow a race car driver named Speed who attempts to obtain glory while riding in the souped-up Mach 5 his Pops created for him. Along the way, however, he'll have to deal with the mysterious Racer X and the devilish owner of Royalton industries who's out to sabotage Speed after the young racer declines an offer to work for him. Set to hit theaters on May 9, 2008, the film is currently shooting in Berlin. Here's hoping we get a better look at the film once ComicCon rolls into San Diego later this month.

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. Although it wasn't very difficult to piece together all the nuggets of information we've received over the past month or so, it is nice to see all things Speed Racer in one place. (Check out the recently released pic of Speed's Mach 5 to the right) As expected, the meat and potatoes of the story will revolve around Speed's (Emile Hirsch) attempt to take down the powerful and corrupt Royalton Industries before its evil owner (Roger Allam) puts Speed and his family out of business for good.

One of the casting choices I'm most interested in is that of Ji Hoon Jung (aka the popular Korean singer Rain) as a rival driver. Although the press release suggests this is his feature debut, I managed to catch some of Rain's acting in Park Chan-wook's I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay -- a film that actually marked his first feature role; one that was pulled off rather successfully, if I may say so myself. In case you've been living under a rock, Speed Racer was written and will be directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski (of Matrix fame), and will be based off the old acid trip of a cartoon. Pic also stars Christina Ricci (as Speed's friend Trixie), John Goodman and Susan Sarandon (as mom and pops racer), Matthew Fox (as the mysterious Racer X), Kick Gurry (as Sparky) and Paulie Litt (as Sprittle). (Now all we need is for someone to play a character named Sprite and things will be all set.) I've included the full press release after the jump; Speed Racer is set to drive into theaters on May 9, 2008.