Have you ever wanted to find out what Speed Racer would look like as a live-action show? Well, don’t worry. Apple TV+ is here to help out with that. Or at least, to add their own version to make a pile.

Apple Racer in the Works?!

"Speed Racer" (2008) film poster.
Maybe this TV series too will get a cult following?

Deadline has just announced that the 1960’s Japanese media franchise Speed Racer will be getting another live-action adaptation, this time for Apple TV+. Details are sparse for now, since this is still very early in production. However, we do know a few things about it.

First off, this Speed Racer live-action adaptation will be a TV series, not a feature-length film like the 2008 version. In fact, it will have no connection to that film whatsoever, and just be its own standalone thing. J. J. Abrams and his Bad Robot Productions alongside Warner Bros. Television will direct/produce this series. They don’t make it clear as to which one it will be.

In fact, the remaining Speed Racer details are basically rumors. According to Deadline, Hiram Martinez (Snowpiercer) and Ron Fitzgerald (Westworld) will write for the series. Apparently, this series will go “back to the original source material” and will basically be a direct adaptation of the 1966 manga. Keep in mind though that all of this is still rumor, barring any official confirmation from Bad Robot or Warner Bros.. Take it with a grain of salt until then.

Speed Racer: Details

How is it that the obvious CG looks so awesome?

Speed Racer (known in Japan as Mach GoGoGo) is a Japanese media franchise that began with the 1966 sports manga of the same name by Tatsuo Yoshida. The success of the manga resulted in an anime adaptation in 1967, which itself was so popular that it resulted in a reboot anime 30 years later in 1997. The success of the franchise in Japan, in turn, led to it getting a number of US adaptations, starting with a thoroughly Americanized (and heavily edited) English dub in 1967, and leading up to this most recent live-action TV adaptation from Apple TV+.

As for what Speed Racer is about? Well, Crunchyroll has an official synopsis for it, even if they don’t actually have the original anime for you to watch. Check it out below:

“Speed Racer is a teenager who drives a special sports car, the Mach 5, in races throughout the world. The Mach 5, designed by his father, a retired professional racer, contains features that enable Speed to drive over any terrain and through all obstacles. Speed has to use them often, since he frequently meets unscrupulous competitors and international criminals who try to fix the races in their own favor. Speed is often accompanied by his girl friend Trixie, his kid brother Spridle, and Spridle’s pet chimp Chim-chim. The fast-paced adventures of this brave foursome, in exotic settings around the globe, prove that quick wits and fair play are always sure winners!”

You can watch the original Speed Racer anime on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Roku.

Source: Deadline