Susan Sarandon and John Goodman are in talks to play the parents of the title character in SPEED RACER, which will be played by Emile Hirsch, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The live-action adaptation of the TV anime will be written and directed by THE MATRIX's Larry and Andy Wachowski.
Created by Tatsuo Yoshida, the series chronicles the exploits of young racecar driver, Speed (Hirsch) as he jets out in his gadget-filled Mach 5 vehicle. Goodman will play Pops, the builder of the Mach 5, while Sarandon will play the matriarchal leader of the racing team.
The film is set to start shooting in Germany this summer with summer 2008 picked for the release.
Joel Silver is producing the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures of a Silver Pictures production.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
