Christina Ricci feels the need for Speed

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.

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