USA: Speed Racer, the latest film from the Matrix filmmakers, premieres in Los Angeles

Record ID: 220367

  • Title: USA: Speed Racer, the latest film from the Matrix filmmakers, premieres in Los Angeles
  • Date: 1st May 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) "SPEED RACER" ACTOR JOHN GOODMAN, SAYING: "It's just like doing a play when you're really poor, you don't have many props or anything just a table, a couple of chairs and stuff, so it's pretty much just the same." (GOODMAN MOSTLY OBSCURED BY DARK SHADOW)
  • Embargoed: 16th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA79V1EM2M48P8K7G9882NJQM0I
  • Story Text: "Speed Racer," a live-action/anime adaptation of a popular 1960s Japanese cartoon, debuts with a red carpet premiere in Los Angeles.
    Directed by the Wachowski brothers, known for their groundbreaking action sequences in the "Matrix" films, "Speed Racer" uses greenscreen technology to give the film a balanced mix of. The film stars Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, and Susan Sarandon, and touts itself as a family friendly action movie.

    "You know, it was the Wachowski's, and this idea that they were going to do something that's never been done before, and I like the theme of family that's in there, and at the same time their sense of humor and they've created a whole new kind of film making, so I thought if I'm ever going to do something that is going to involve greenscreen, then they would be the guys to do it with," says actress Susan Sarandon on her decision to take part in the film.
    Emile Hirsch, who starred in the 2007 film "Into the Wild,"
    plays the title character in "Speed Racer" who is destined to fulfil the racing legacy of his brother, who died in a race. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive and fearless, and even designs automobiles in his spare time. Hirsch credits the Wachowski brothers with their unique take on the film, and trusted their vision entirely through production.

    "The Wachowski's, what they bring as filmmakers is just this beautiful, beautiful vision that you can never imagine until you see it,"
    says "Speed Racer" star Emile Hirsch.

    "Speed Racer" was entirely filmed on a greenscreen, leaving actors to use their imagination for scenery during much of the production, which John Goodman compared to acting on stage. The actors were supplied with enough visuals throughout production, however, that they had enough of an idea of what the film would look like in the end.

    "It really wasn't that bad, and again, Larry and Andy gave us so much material, pre-vis, digital imagery and artist's renderings so that we had a really good idea of what these set pieces would feel like," says actor Matthew Fox.
    Producer Joel Silver was eager to work with Larry and Andy Wachowski after they approached him with the idea for the big-screen adaptation of the TV cartoon, setting out to make a movie their nephews and nieces could watch.
    Silver was pleased that his film is part of the first round of the summer blockbuster season, and is confident that "Speed Racer" will hold its own against the competition.

    "Yeah, I mean, 'Iron Man' comes before us, then we come and 'Narnia,' then 'Indiana Jones,' they're coming and it's like mortar shells, but we're excited, we feel strong, we feel good, and we're gonna keep going," says Joel Silver.

    "Speed Racer" drives into theatres on May 9th.
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