IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced recently that “Speed Racer,” the action-packed adventure from the creators of "The Matrix" trilogy, will be simultaneously released to IMAX® and conventional theatres across the Philippines on May 7.
“Speed Racer,” based on the hit anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, is written and directed by The Wachowski Brothers. The film will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
"'Speed Racer' combines riveting action with stunning special effects, making it an ideal choice for IMAX's format," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are delighted to release the film to IMAX theatres, where audiences can experience the next best thing to actually sitting in the driver's seat during this high speed adventure."
"'Speed Racer' is a fantastic addition to our 2008 film slate, and we are very pleased to welcome The Wachowski Brothers back to the world of IMAX," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The unique vision of these talented filmmakers has always been well suited to IMAX's format, and we're more than excited to be a part of this release."
"'Speed Racer' has all the elements for a powerful IMAX experience, with its broad appeal and spectacular effects," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are excited to be exhibiting the film internationally in this unique format."
In the film, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel, hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition. Born to race cars, Spe ed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idoliz ed —the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Spe ed is driven to fulfill.
Spe ed is loyal to the family racing business, l ed by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Spe ed ’s thundering Mach 5. When Spe ed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company’s maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secret—some of the biggest races are being fix ed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Spe ed won’t drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line.
The only way for Spe ed to save his family’s business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Spe ed teams with his one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)—to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.
