Score one more thesp for the growing ranks of the Wachowski brothers’ attempt to bring anime cartoon Speed Racer to the big screen.
Christina Ricci, a woman not known for her blockbuster choices, has been tempted over to the world of high-octane summer entertainment by the new film. She’s agreed to play Trixie, girlfriend of Speed (Emile Hirsch) as he attempts to grab glory in his geared-up, gadget-laden car known as the Mach 5. But Trixie’s no stay-at-home flag waver – she’s Speed’s equal on and off the track. Or at least, that’s what Ricci will be hoping. Let’s see how she enjoys days in front of blue screens.
Her casting follows a pattern of the Wachowskis persuading interesting actors to star – John Goodman and Susan Sarandon have already leapt aboard to play Hirsch’s parents.
With pre-production already underway in Berlin, Speed Racer should be driving in cinemas next May.