Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are in talks 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 (“The Matrix” trilogy), says The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on the classic 1960s series that was created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida and retooled for North American audiences, the film 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. Joel Silver is producing the film, which will be a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures of a Silver Pictures production.
