Jalopnik: Speed Racer

We saw Speed Racer after a few hours of donwload, ...

Ray Wert — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:55:00 EDT

We saw Speed Racer after a few hours of donwload, and yes, it was horrible. But speaking of movies involving cars, anyone see those pics of Megan Fox topless over at brother site Defamer today?

Speed Racer Sucked, Took In Less Than $20 Million On Opening Weekend

Ray Wert — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:40:00 EDT

So we hear Speed Racer kind of sucked, which despite our fervent wishes otherwise, we kind of guessed after watching those damned trailers. In fact, depending on which studio numbers you used, came in either in 2nd place or 3rd place this past weekend, behind the juggernaut that is Iron Man and the silly romantic comedy What Happens In Vegas. Anyone care to guess exactly why the movie sucked? Was it the cartoon-ish graphics? Was it Chim-Chim? Was it — gasp — Christina Ricci? Was it the over-priced cost of $160 million to develop the movie — an amount that allowed the Wachowski brothers to spend more time playing and less time directing? [Deadline Hollywood Daily]

Full Speed Racer Preview Blows Minds, Bends Physics

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EDT

The final preview for the live-action Speed Racer movie is out trailer-style, and after watching it, we're pretty sure we know what the acting process for this looked like. It was hours and hours sitting in front of a green screen making "vroom-vroom" sounds and acting surprised and/or determined. The tripping balls part was added afterwards — and there seems to be a hell of a lot of that. The movie about our childhood racing hero and his creatively outfitted Mach 5 will be rolling into theaters in just a couple of weeks, and if this preview can't makes a case for seeing it in iMax, nothing can.

[There's a full HD version available at IGN.com, if you're into that kind of thing]

New Speed Racer Trailer Shows Regenerating Tires And Speed As A Kid

Travis Hudson — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EDT

Here we have the latest trailer for the live-action Speed Racer movie. It drops some backstory and provides our first insight into what made Speed Racer a demon on wheels. We're still not that impressed by the Wachowski brothers' extravaganza, based on these early looks. However, there's definitely some kinda cool stuff going on with Speed's famous set of wheels. For example, this trailer shows the Mach 5's ability to replace its own shredded tires while flying through the air. I bet Tony Stewert is really jealous right now.

This trailer also shows Speed Racer as a kid, depicts heartfelt chats with his mom (Susan Sarandon!) and even includes a scene of Speed and Trixie parked on a hilltop, likely getting ready to get it on and make little big-eyed anime racer children. By the way, is anybody else having trouble seeing Matthew Fox of "Lost" fame as Racer X? [Gizmodo]

Speed Racer Goes International In New Trailers For the Non-'Merican Scene

Ray Wert — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:44:03 EDT

So crap about the Wachowski Bros. new proto-anime-animation colored in Superman ice cream notwithstanding, the two new trailers revealed this weekend for Speed Racer are finally giving us auto-lovers a real live Racergasm. Some of the new driving sequences, although fantastically fantastic n' fake looking, are even starting to grow on us a little. But then of course this whole thing requires us to suspend disbelief — especially when Speed Racer whips out the strange clutch-less hold at race-start he's got going on (unless he's got some 4th pedal in there for like "turbo" or something). But whatevs, it is a movie, isn't it? We'll suspend disbelief. Are you interested in more? Then check out the Jalopnik Speed Racer tag for our full coverage — including the Mach 5 live and in the flesh (or you can just hit the jump to see that) — and then head on over to our sister site obsessed with sci-fi to catch a glimpse at their hard-core Speed Racer action.

Speed Racer Lego Sets Hit Store Shelves In April, We Like The Real Mach 5 Better

Ray Wert — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:45:00 EST

Looks like the licensing for the upcoming Speed Racer movie is beginning with earnest but after seeing the trailer for the movie, we're generally "meh" on this whole thing. But Warner Brothers isn't letting our lack of enthusiasm stop them from moving ahead at full speed. They've just announced that Lego'll be producing four playsets under the "Lego Racers" brand, and they're scheduled to "race onto" store shelves in April. The thing we're most excited about is to see what Trixie and Chim-Chim will look like in Lego minifigure form. However, after seeing the Mach 5 in person at the Detroit Auto Show, we're not real pleased with the look of the lego one. Strike two against this film. Full press release after the jump. (Hat tip to Jeff!)

LEGO Group Secures Rights from Warner Bros. Consumer Products to Upcoming SPEED RACER Film
LEGO Group, the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, today announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) to secure construction toy rights for the upcoming movie release SPEED RACER, the live action feature film adaptation of the classic TV series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida.

Under the agreement, LEGO Group will produce four constructible racing playsets under its LEGO Racers brand, scheduled to race onto store shelves in April 2008, and ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99 USD. Builders and collectors alike will appreciate the inclusion of multiple authentic racers in each set for head-to-head racing and building fun. Many of the SPEED RACER characters also will come to life in LEGO minifigure form, including Speed, Racer X, Trixie, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Mom and Pops Racer, Taejo Togokhan, Snake Oiler, Gray Ghost and Cruncher Block.

"Warner Bros. Consumer Products has partnered with LEGO on Batman and Harry Potter, and we are excited to expand our relationship to include products based on the upcoming SPEED RACER film," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "LEGO has captured the racing excitement of the film in its own unique way."

"The popularity and universal appeal of SPEED RACER has engaged generations of loyal and enduring fans," said Jill Wilfert, Vice President, Partnership and Alliance Management for LEGO Group. "Combined with one of our most popular lines in LEGO Racers, SPEED RACER has become an awesome proposition for our business and consumers."

The green flag drops on May 9, 2008, when SPEED RACER makes his feature film debut in the newest project from writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking The Matrix trilogy, and producer Joel Silver. A live-action, high-octane family adventure based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the big-screen SPEED RACER will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thundering Mach 5. It will feature other characters that fans of the show will remember, including Mom (Susan Sarandon) and Pops Racer (John Goodman), girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox).

[via ToyNewsi]

Detroit Auto Show: Speed Racer Mach 5 Live and in the Flesh

Wes Siler — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:58:38 EST

We first brought you details of the 5,000bhp Mach 5 from the upcoming Speed Racer movie back in December. Here it is right in the middle of Cobo Hall. We hate to say it, but the Mach 5 is a big let down in person. Why can't our childhood dreams ever turn out as we dreamt them?

Detroit Auto Show: Speed Racer Coming to Detroit

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST

Prepare to trip balls in real life Sunday because the Mach 5 from the upcoming Speed Racer movie will be making an appearance at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. We'll be getting up close and personal with it during the press days but the public will be allowed to ogle the 5,000 horsepower, ultimate race car starting on the 19th. No word on whether Spritle and Chim-Chim will be hiding out in the trunk. Get the shots of the Mach 5 live Sunday and follow our show coverage all next week at our Detroit Auto Show tag page, or if you're technically inclined, hit up the RSS feed for your fave feed reader — or just keep madly hitting refresh on our main page — whatever works best for you.

Speed Racer Trailer, Prepare to Trip Balls in Higher Definition

Ray Wert — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:15:00 EST

While the trailer for the new Speed Racer movie above certainly isn't in high-def, it's at least of a higher quality than what we and other sites have tried to peddle as "teh sweet." As we're sure you're already aware, it's been more like "teh suck." But at least this time you'll actually be able to tell the difference between Speed Racer and Racer X — because here they've finally got more definition and aren't quite the amorphous blobs they were the in the last version we brought you.

But if even this one doesn't do it for ya, here's a link to the Yahoo! Movies site that's got the real sweetness. Try not to get a cavity. (Hat tip to Manny!) [Yahoo! Movies]

The Speed Racer Trailer: Prepare to Trip Balls

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:01:00 EST

Yesterday we were the first to bring you photos of Speed Racer, and now we're bringing you the trailer. We're going to hold off on making too many claims about this movie until we see it, but the trailer above kind of confirms what the film geeks over at CHUD have been saying about this movie actually being Peyote Racer. We're also going to hold off on explaining the story of Speed Racer to you because we here at Jalopnik don't think our readers are the kind of people that need the complicated plot and intricate character relationships of Speed Racer explained to them.

Jalopnik Holiday Gift Guide: Speed Racer Season 1 DVD

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:45:00 EST

Known as Mach Go Go Go in Japan, Speed Racer holds a special place in our hearts from when they replayed the show on MTV (we'll see about the Speed Racer) film. It was a great introduction to the world of auto racing (though, it sort of skewed our view of it for a time). Some may think the show cheesy, but the show was our Le Mans until we saw that film many years later. At under $10.00, this makes a great stocking stuffer.

Sure, the DVD speeds up some of the sequences from the last episode. But it's still the best way to get the episodes without having to go through the trouble of tracking down the torrents. And Trixie! Surely, we're not the only ones who carried the thought of Trixie in their adolescent hearts.

First Pictures From Speed Racer Movie

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:15:00 EST

[*UPDATE* If you're getting to this post we've got the Speed Racer Trailer, and you should watch it. That is all.] Whatever your opinions of the Wachowski Brothers, it's hard to stop your heart rate from speeding up a little when you see the photos from the new Speed Racer film. The men behind The Matrix have decided to put their skills behind the project, and have brought John Goodman and Christina Ricci along for the ride. Oh yeah, and Chim Chim is going to be there, too.

We've heard mixed sentiments about the film, and we've got sort of high standards for the Speed Racer remake based on inflated memories of how much we loved the show in our youth, but if someone was to make book on whether or not we were going to see this on the biggest screen we could find &mdash we'd take that action. [USA Today]

Chim-Chim Beaten After Biting Speed, Says PETA

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:15:40 EDT

Did Chim-Chim get a beat-down? That's the allegation PETA put to "Speed Racer" producer Joel Silver in a letter recently. According to the missive — publicized by MSNBC gossip columnist Jeanette Walls — PETA received complains the chimpanzee actor portraying Chim was beaten after biting an actor. A response from Warner Brothers assured PETA the chimp was treated humanely (or is that sub-humanely?), though PETA isn't having any of it. They want Silver to switch to animatronics. No word on who was bitten or if the chimp was indeed backhanded. [Thanks to Ralph for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

PETA not monkeying around with 'Speed Racer' [MSNBC]

Speed Racer To Get Sweet-Ass Mach 5 For Live-Action Movie

Ray Wert — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:15:00 EDT

Looks like Speed Racer's dad went all out this time, as the Pops Racer-built Mach 5 looks like it's all ready to rumble for the live-action movie directed by the Wachowski bros we've heard will debut in May of next year. As a fan of the show, I've got to say this open-cockpit racer looks exactly how I'd expect it to look. No word yet on whether it'll have the same A-to-G button layout as the cartoon — but if it does, I can't wait to see the cutter, belt tires and auto jack in action. We're getting some serious tightening in our fan-boy pants going on right now thinking about it, and just about the only thing we can think of that would cause us to shrivel up would be if the brothers Wachowski make the decision to replace Emile Hirsch with Keanu Reeves. Whoa...that would totally suck. Full high-res shot via the link below. – Ray Wert

[Mach 5]

[not via the Official Site]

Cosplay Time: Be a Demon on Wheels in Your Own Mach 5

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:04:52 EDT

Peter Fernandez, largely responsible for the American transformation of a moderately successful Japanese cartoon called Mach Go Go Go into a massive hit on these shores, had a full-size version of Speed Racer's legendary Mach 5 built a few years back, and now he's offering replicas to the public. The cars feature billet wheels custom-made for the car, a driver's side rollbar, a pushbutton steering wheel and up to 435hp via a Chevy LT1. No word if the trunk is big enough to hold both Spritle and Chim-Chim.

Speed Racer Autoworks