Live-Action 'Speed Racer' Series Coming to Apple TV+

[MacRumors]

Apple has picked up a live-action "Speed Racer" series for Apple TV+, reports Variety. The series has reportedly been in the works for years now, and will be executive produced by J.J. Abrams.

"Speed Racer" is a Japanese automobile racing media franchise that originated in 1966 as a manga, and it was then adapted into an anime in 1967. It follows the adventures of titular character Speed Racer and his Mach 5 car. He has a team featuring his father, Pops Racer, his little brother Spritle, his pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim, and his girlfriend, Trixie.

The cartoon was previously made into a live action film in 2008, with the movie starring Emile Hirsch, but this would be the first time that it has been adapted into a live action television show.

The series will be written by Ron Fitzgerald and Hiram Martinez. Fitzgerald is known for his work on shows that include "Perry Mason," "Westworld," "Weeds," and "Friday Night Lights," while Martinez has worked on "The Last Ship," "Snowpiercer," and "Get Shorty."

J.J. Abrams previously executive produced Apple TV+ series "Little Voice," which was discontinued after one season, as well as "Lisey's Story." He will also serve as executive producer on upcoming Apple TV+ show "My Glory Was I Had Such Friends."

Article Link: Live-Action 'Speed Racer' Series Coming to Apple TV+

 

[TechRunner]

This will definitely show my age, but I loved Speed Racer as a kid. I probably won’t spoil those good memories by watching any sort of reboot. And I’m a big J.J. Abrams fan.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

The movie was cool; looking forward to this. I watched the cartoon back in the day….

 

[JM]

If it’s not a blood-soaked gory mess during races, I ain’t watching. Let’s just see how “realistic” the race-murders will be with cars careening off the road in explosions.

 

[mozumder]

They really don't need to turn every franchise into a TV series.

A 2 hour movie is perfectly fine to tell a story. You don't need to spread that story over 9 hours.

 

[genovelle]

The movie was cool; looking forward to this. I watched the cartoon back in the day….

I didn’t know there was a movie, but watched the reruns as a kid.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I wouldn't mind if they just brought back the original anime series...

 

[JCCL]

They really don't need to turn every franchise into a TV series.

A 2 hour movie is perfectly fine to tell a story. You don't need to spread that story over 9 hours.

Do you know that it was originally an anime series, that had over 50 episodes? The 2 hour movie is an adaptation loosely based on those characters.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I will stick with the original series.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wouldn't mind if they just brought back the original anime series...

You can buy the series on Amazon.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

I didn’t know there was a movie, but watched the reruns as a kid.

The Wachowski (sp?) brothers made a movie in the late 2000s. Worth a watch.

 

[MrTechAdvice]

Speed Racer, Godzilla, and Argylle in 2023. Bring iT.

 

[imwoblin]

Speed Racer and Jonny Quest!

 

[KaliYoni]

Apple has picked up a live-action "Speed Racer" series for Apple TV+

Does this mean the Mach 5 will stop being able to have new features added after two racing seasons? Or, worse, will the steering wheel's buttons be replaced by Siri (Speed: "Hey Mach 5, go Homing Robot." Mach 5: "Now driving home.")?

 

[Pakaku]

Wasn't Speed Racer kind of a big jerk in the original series? If they retain that, then I can guarantee this show will be an instant hit

 

[PeterTomlins]

I'd just like to congratulate Phil on getting this made.

 

[winxmac]

Mahha GōGōGō [マッハ ゴー ゴー ゴー] the Japanese title of the series...

Didn't know that it was originally from Japan since it was dubbed in English back in the day... I only knew it when I had internet access several years later...

 

[Halikaarn]

The Wachowski movie is very underrated and fun. The CGI was ahead of its time and turned people off, and the Wachowski's earnestness turned everyone else off (as it has for every post-Matrix project). But it's really a masterpiece about what it means to be an artist, and is beautiful (try to watch on the biggest screen possible.)

Wait, what are we talking about again?

 

[syklee26]

Is this like a homage to Steve Jobs, who used to drive SL Convertible?

 

[Makosuke]

Do you know that it was originally an anime series, that had over 50 episodes? The 2 hour movie is an adaptation loosely based on those characters.

Let's not forget the reboot anime series from the late '90s! (Although almost everybody has, not without reason.)

There's also the sort-of-sequel American animated series that came out around the same time as the Wachowskis' movie.

Speed Racer as a franchise is kinda weird--it has a surprising amount of nostalgia attached to it, which seems to churn out a new incarnation every decade or so, none of which really catch on. I suppose we're past due for another one, which if history is any guide will not spin off anything noteworthy and will be largely forgotten in a few years.

At this point you'd have to be over 60 to remember watching the original on TV when it was new, so nearly the entire audience for this show will be people who remember it as a kinda goofy retro thing even in their childhood.

 

[Moonlight]

Oh great, another JJ disaster

 

[sracer]

This will definitely show my age, but I loved Speed Racer as a kid. I probably won’t spoil those good memories by watching any sort of reboot. And I’m a big J.J. Abrams fan.

Same here. When I was a kid, I looked like Speed... as an adult, I ended up looking like Pops. 😂

Here's my iPad Mini 5 with Product (RED) smartcover....

 

[jav6454]

The movie was cool; looking forward to this. I watched the cartoon back in the day….

The movie was ok, cartoon was great. Hopefully they honor the cartoon.

 

[Christiandflores]

It better be in Japanese with English subtitles

 

[ouruniverse06131986]

NOOOOOOOO, just leave it the way it has been. Shees