"Speed Racer" is coming to a theater near you, and while it's far too early to say how it will turn out, there are reasons to be encouraged.
There's the casting for the movie — Emil Hirsch as Speed; John Goodman as Pops; Christina Ricci as Trixie; Matthew Fox as Racer X. And a publicity shot of Speed's car, the Mach 5, looks really cool. And just like the cartoon vehicle.
Piggybacking on the release of the movie (scheduled for May 2008), the Nicktoons channel will be airing an updated animated version of "Speed Racer." And, while it's far too early to say how these will turn out, there are reasons to be apprehensive. Including:
The new "Speed Racer" will feature a new Speed Racer. He'll be a young race-car driver who learns he's the son of the original Speed.
Speed Junior will attend a race-car driving academy.
Spritle, Speed's goofy younger brother, will be the headmaster at the racing academy.
Speed Junior will drive the Mach 6.
Speed Senior will be missing, so Speed Junior will have to find him.
Just like his father, Speed Junior will learn that he has a brother. And just Speed Senior's brother, Speed Junior's brother will be Racer X. (Or is that Racer X II?)
And Chim-Chim the chimp will be updated — he'll be a robot!?!?!?
Lionsgate is producing 26 episodes of the new "Speed" for Nicktoons.
The original series was a Japanese import. Titled "Mahha go go go" in its native country, the 52 episodes began airing in the United States in 1967 and quickly became a classic.
Hey, this might not be important to you, but to those of us who are of a certain age and thought "Speed Racer" was the coolest thing on TV way back when, this is a big deal.
They're messing with a classic!
PROVING YET AGAIN that a show doesn't have to be good to be successful, Fox has renewed "American Dad" for another season.
That's on top of the upcoming season, so the animated series will be around until at least 2009.
Ow. I'm getting a headache.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com