Joel Silver has wanted to create a feature film based on the 1960s Japanese anime series “Speed Racer” for some time and he has finally gotten someone on board, the Wachowski brothers. The Matrix duo have signed on to direct the feature film adaptation of Tatsuo Yoshida’s toon in which teenager Gô Mifune aspires to be the world’s best race-car champion with the help of his friends, family and his father’s high-tech race-car, the Mach 5.
The movie will feature other characters from the show, including Speed’s family and his mysterious archrival, Racer X. I just wonder if that monkey will be there… Wasn’t there a monkey? Considering the pic will be live-action I am not anticipating a monkey, but that can’t stop me from hoping.
I don’t exactly know what this means, but Silver is quoted saying, “They are approaching these racing scenes in a way you’ve never seen before.” Hmmm, I am not sure how else you show cars racing around a track that has not been seen, but I am willing to give it a shot.
Probably the biggest factor with this film concerning the Wachowskis is that it will be family friendly. This coming from a couple of guys known for the erotic lesbian scene between Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly in Bound and all the S&M goodness in the Matrix films. “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 and will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
