Matthew Fox is Racer X in SPEED RACER Movie
Apparently tired of fighting smug “Others” or trying to get into Kate’s pants now that Sawyer has already gotten there first, Matthew Fox (aka Jack on “Lost”) is in final negotiations to join the cast of the Wachowski Brothers’ “Speed Racer” live-action movie, reports The Hollywood Reporter. “Speed” is about a young race car driver named Speed (to be played by Emile 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 known only as Racer X.
Christina Ricci Joins SPEED RACER
This is sort of old news, but all the trades are reporting that Christina Ricci has joined the cast of “Speed Racer”, opposite Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, and John Goodman. And as everyone already knows (don’t you?), the Wachowski Brothers, coming off their stint fixing Nicole Kidman’s “Invasion”, will be writing and directing. The movie is also supposed to be the Wachowski’s first stab at a G-rated (or maybe PG-Rated film), which would be quite a feat from the guys who started their careers doing the lesbian crime flick “Bound”.
The Real Truth Behind INVASION’s Troubles?
We’ve all heard the rumors, and the more producer Joel Silver denies it, the more the rumors seem to stick. Which is that the Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig sci-fi thriller “Invasion” (a contemporary re-imagining of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”) was in deep, deep trouble, and Silver and the studio went to their go-to guys, the Wachowski Brothers, to “fix” it. According to Collider.com, the Wachowskis did just that — by rewriting over 2/3rds of the film, and assigning their go-to guy, “V for Vendetta” director James Mcteigue to direct the re-shoots. And that it was during these reshoots (more action scenes, apparently) that Nicole Kidman recently had her stunt accident.
Emile Hirsch is Speed Racer
According to Variety, the Wachowski Brothers have found their Speed Racer, and it’s — some dude name Emile Hirsch. Who the hell is Emile Hirsch? Apparently he’s an actor. Um, well, he’s done a lot of movies, but I’ve never heard of him. His credits include “The Girl Next Door” and “Alpha Dog”. Basically, the dude has worked a lot, but since he’s not really famous, I’m going to assume he’s more concern with his craft than he is with the whole movie stardom bit. Then again, starring in a movie where he gets to simulate nailing Elisha Cuthbert in the back of a limo after prom night is a pretty good benefit.
Nicole Kidman’s “Invasion” is Officially a Troubled Movie
I love science fiction movies. Couple that with a plot about alien invasion and there’s nothing about “Invasion” that I shouldn’t love. Then there came the news of troubles from the production. First star Nicole Kidman gets hurt during an action scene, and now Fangoria is reporting that the movie has hit more trouble spots. Worst of all? The film was completed and turned into the studio in late 2005, but, um, where’s the movie? You got major stars (Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig), a major budget, and the movie is — late? Here’s Fangoria with why that might be…
Uber Producer Joel Silver Updates “Invasion”, “Wonder Woman”
(Via Sci Fi Wire) Hollywood uber producer Joel Silver (aka the only other Hollywood producer who has made just as much “shit blows up” movies as Jerry Bruckheimer) was recently at the WonderCon convention in San Francisco, and updated fans on a couple of his projects. On the rumor that the Wachowski Brothers (of “Matrix”) fame had been brought in to “finish” the Nicole Kidman sci-fi thriller “Invasion” (a remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”), Silver said the rumor isn’t true, that original German director Oliver Hirschbiegel is still at the helm. But this is what he added: “And we’re kind of working our way through it, and it should come out this summer.” Ooooh. That definitely means there’s problems with the movie. And what about the Joss Whedon-less “Wonder Woman”…?
“Indiana Jones 4″ vs “Speed Racer” in 2008 — WHO YA GOT??
Variety’s got the inside track on an upcoming epic battle at the box office between Steven Spielberg’s “Indian Jones 4″ and the Wachowski Brothers’ “Speed Racer” live-action movie. Here’s what they said: “Looking for a Memorial Day adventure, Paramount Pictures will release Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones 4″ on May 22, 2008. The Harrison Ford starrer — which resurrects the franchise after a nearly 20-year hiatus — will go up against Warner Bros. tentpole “Speed Racer,” which bows a day after ‘Indy 4.’” Holy cow. “Indiana Jones 4″ versus “Speed Racer”. Can Harrison Ford handle all the action? One can only hope.
Keanu Reeves as “Speed Racer”?
Now look, I don’t have anything against Keanu Reeves, but can we just admit that anyone could have played the role of Neo, and been twice as effective, or at the very least, look less vapid? Having said that, there are rumors that Keanu Reeves plans to rejoin his “The Matrix” writers/directors, the Wachowski brothers, for the live-action version of the popular Japanese anime “Speed Racer”. This would make a lot of sense from a commercial point of view, as although Reeves has the personality of driftwood, he’s a box office draw. Then again, it is Keanu Reeves, and the guy looks vapid all the time, so… Eh, whatever. I don’t “get” why they’re making a live-action version of the show anyways, so what do I know.
Wachowski Brothers to do Live-Action “Speed Racer”
So the Wachowski Brothers have decided to bring the popular old school Japanese anime “Speed Racer”, about a guy and his groovy white car, to the big screen. Now I have absolutely no idea why this would appeal to them, except on some deep down “back when we were kids we loved it” level, but the Hollywood Reporter is reporting this, so it’s pretty much true. Still, the Wachowski??? From “The Matrix” to “V for Vendetta” to…“Speed Racer”????