What's wrong with the casting? Have you ever seen Speed Racer? I think Keanu can act nearly as well as the cartoon Speed, though with a reduced range of expression.

In an effort to be "current" a penguin will play Chim Chim according to IMDB!

not much love for keanu here, i've liked almost all of his movies as far as popcorn features go. what's wrong with that?

I'm confused.

*WHEW!* I thought the OP was going to say "NICHOLAS CAGE!!!!!!!".

Hirsch picks up 'Speed'
Actor in the driver's seat
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK, MICHAEL FLEMING

Emile Hirsch is in final talks to star in the Wachowski brothers' "Speed Racer" for producer Joel Silver and Warner Bros. Pictures, putting the tentpole project into full throttle.

Based on the 1960s Japanese cartoon series by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, pic will follow the adventures of the youthful Speed -- played by Hirsch -- as he tries to obtain victory in his tricked-out Mach 5 racecar, built by his father.

Speed is often bailed out of danger by Racer X, a rival with a mysterious connection to Speed. Part has not been cast.

Warners recently moved up the opening date of "Speed Racer" two weeks to May 9, 2008 and will release it day-and-date in most international markets.

Film marks Larry and Andy Wachowski's first directing effort since the "Matrix" trilogy, which Silver produced through his Warners-based Silver Pictures banner. The brothers penned 2005's "V for Vendetta."

Warners and Village Roadshow Pictures are co-financing "Speed Racer," which begins production this summer.

Hirsch ("Lords of Dogtown") is next in theaters with "Into the Wild," directed by Sean Penn. Film, which Paramount Vantage releases this fall, is based on Jon Krakauer's nonfiction tome about the life and death of Christopher McCandless, who abandoned his life to move to the Alaskan wilderness.

Silver produced three pics for Warners that bow this year: "The Invasion," starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig; "The Brave One," starring Jodie Foster; and holiday laffer "Fred Claus," starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti.

Goodman, Sarandon on 'Speed'
By Borys Kit
April 2, 2007

Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are in negotiations 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.

Based on the classic 1960s series that was created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida and retooled for North American audiences, "Speed" 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. "Speed" will be a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures of a Silver Pictures production.

The ICM-repped Sarandon recently wrapped Paul Haggis' "In the Valley of Elah" and is starring in "Bernard and Doris," in which she plays heiress Doris Duke.

Goodman, repped by Gersh, will be seen in the upcoming Universal Pictures comedy "Evan Almighty" and heard in DreamWorks Animation's "Bee Movie."

Jennifer Love Hewitt should play Trixie.

Too old.

Lol,
 

she's younger than Keanu!

natalie portman for trixie

do they still want to be called the "Wachowski brothers"

one is a fully transformed female now, no?

oh and I thought this was a April Fool's joke... :D

I couldn't find anything to support a complete sex change, but Larry is apparently living full-time as a woman, under either "Lana" or "Linda".

By Tatiana Siegel and Borys Kit
April 13, 2007

Christina Ricci is joining Larry and Andy Wachowski's live-action adaptation of the 1960s cartoon "Speed Racer" for Warner Bros. Pictures and producer Joel Silver.

Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman already have boarded the high-octane project, which is based on the anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida for Japanese audiences and later imported to the U.S.

"Speed" centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden vehicle Mach 5. Ricci will star as Speed's girlfriend Trixie, his formidable ally on and off the track.

The show revolved around Speed's family. In the big-screen adaptation, Goodman will play Pops, a race car owner and builder. Sarandon is on board as Pops' wife, the backbone of the family as well as the Mach 5 Go Racing Team.

The Wachowskis, who are writing and directing, are eyeing a summer shoot in Berlin with a summer 2008 release.

The film will be a Warners presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures of a Silver Pictures production.

The casting is a change in direction for Ricci, who has tended to star in such indie-oriented fare as "Monster," "Penelope" and the recent "Black Snake Moan." She also appeared on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," a turn that earned her an Emmy nomination last year. Ricci is repped by ICM, Brillstein-Grey and attorney Melanie Cook.

NIIIIIIICE!! :D

Good casting. A little off-beat , but nice.
Now who the hell is Racer X?

Keanu Reeves, most likely.

I think Natalie Portman would make a better Trixie, but I love anything Ricci does. So it should still be ok. For the love of God, do not let Keanue Reeves be in this movie.

From the song "Speed Racer" from the "Scratch And Sniff Car Crash" album by Swamp Zombies:

I always wondered if Trixie was supposed to be his girlfriend or his sister. Does the cartoon ever make that clear?

Can someone post a picture of Speed's baby brother Spridell & Christina Ricci side by side?
I think there may have been a mix up in the casting.

Fox tunes up for Warners' 'Speed' ride
By Tatiana Siegel and Borys Kit

April 19, 2007

Larry and Andy Wachowski have added another two passengers to their "Speed Racer" vehicle. Matthew Fox is in final negotiations to play Racer X in the live-action update of the 1960s cartoon for Warner Bros. Pictures and producer Joel Silver.

In addition, Aussie actor Kick Gurry is in negotiations to play Sparky, Speed's hippie mechanic.

Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman already are on board the film, which will shoot in the summer in Berlin. "Speed" centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden Mach 5. Fox will play Speed's mysterious racing rival, an enigmatic soldier of fortune.

The "Lost" star will fit "Speed Racer" in around the series' summer hiatus.

The Wachowskis are writing and directing, with the studio eyeing a summer 2008 bow.

The film, which is based on the anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, will be a Warners presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures of a Silver Pictures production.

Fox, whose most recent feature was Warners' "We Are Marshall," next appears in Columbia Pictures' thriller "Vantage Point." He is repped by ICM, Management 360 and attorney Craig Jacobson.

Kick's credits include Alex Proyas' "Garage Days" and the Weinstein Co.'s "Daltry Calhoun." He is repped by WMA and Robert Stein Management.

First pic of the Mach 5 (Michael Bay are you watching?)

http://i.usatoday.net/life/_photos/2...cerx-large.jpg

Perhaps we can remove Vaughn and Reeves from the thread title now?

Mach5 looks great!