Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Rain, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Benno Fürmann, Kick Gurry, Richard Roundtree, Paulie Litt, Roger Allam, Scott Porter, Christian Oliver, Cosma Shiva Hagen, Yu Nan, Ji Hoon Jung, Nicholas Elia, Melvil Poupaud, Ralph Herforth, Werner Daehn, Nayo Wallace
Director: Andy & Larry Wachowski
Writers: Andy & Larry Wachowski, Christian Gudegast, Patrick Read Johnson, John Lau
Producers: Grant Hill, Joel Silver,
Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Co-Producers: Roberto Malerba,
Henning Molfenter, Charlie Woebcken
Art Direction: Marco Bittner Rosser, Hugh Bateup,
Sebastian T. Krawinkel, Stephan O. Gessler, Anja Müller
Casting: Anja Dihrberg, Lora Kennedy , Lucinda Syson
Costume Design: Kym Barrett
D.O.P.: David Tattersall
Editor: Roger Barton, Zach Staenberg
Make-Up: Jeremy Woodhead
Music: Michael Giacchino
Production Design: Owen Paterson
Set Decoration: Peter Walpole
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.
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.
Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1
Cinematographic Process: HDTV (1080p/60)
Filming Locations: Berlin, Germany
Film Negative Format: Digital
MPAA Warning: Sequences of Action, Some Violence and Language
Production Budget: $100 million
Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures,
Anarchos Productions, Silver Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures
Production Schedule: June 5th 2007 - August 25th 2007
Web Sites:
Official Site -
The IMDb
- Director Alfonso Cuarón was once attached to direct with Johnny Depp starring in 1995.
- Henry Rollins was offered the role of Racer X in 1994, whilst Keanu Reeves turned down the role of Racer X even after the Wachowski's got involved.
- According to producer Joel Silver, this movie is going to be largely or entirely shot in front of the green screen.
- Rose McGowan was seriously considered for the part of Trixie, but the director felt she was too old.
- Danica Patrick was reportedly offered a cameo but declined secondary to racing commitments with Andretti Green Racing and the Indy Racing League.
- Peter Fernandez, the voice of Speed Racer and Racer X in the original cartoon series, plays the Race Announcer in this movie.
- Milka Duno, who plays Kellie Gearbox, is an actual professional race car driver in the Indy Racing League.
- The film will be backed by multiple promotional partners with over $80 million in marketing support including General Mills, McDonald's, Target, Topps, Esurance, Mattel, and LEGO.