The iconic Japanese franchise Speed Racer found huge success as manga and anime, but its fans spent decades waiting for a worthy live-action adaptation. Apple TV+ is ready to answer their prayers with a live-action series from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Warner Bros.
This project is still in the early stages of development, but Deadline reports that it will be written by Hiram Martinez (Snowpiercer) and Ron Fitzgerald (Westworld). It’s expected to go back to Speed Racer’s roots and draws inspiration from the original ’60s manga series.
This isn’t the first attempt to give Speed Racer a worthy live-action adaptation. The Wachowskis released their own take on the beloved franchise in 2008, starring Emile Hirsch in the role of Speed Racer.
Its star-studded cast also included Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox, but that didn’t stop it from being a huge misfire. The film was a major box office failure, grossing $93 million worldwide on a $120 million budget.
Apple TV+ will have a chance to right this wrong and give Speed Racer fans a live-action adaptation that they deserve. Abrams will executive produce the project alongside Martinez and Fitzgerald, who are also expected to serve as co-showrunners.
