News
Tatsunoko Develops New Speed Racer Series
posted on by Karen Ressler
The global art licensing magazine Total Licensing reported in its summer issue that Tatsunoko Production is developing a new Speed Racer (Mach Go Go Go) series with a "modern audience" in mind.
In addition, the company is planning a new licensing program to reintroduce the property. The magazine also states that high definition episodes will be available for the first time.
Tatsunoko Production confirmed the news with ANN, but was unable to share any details on the new series, including what format the new series will take and when it is slated for release.
The worldwide rights for the Speed Racer property reverted to Tatsunoko Production from American licensing company Speed Racer Enterprises (SRE) in 2011. Tatsunoko filed lawsuits against SRE and several of its employees in 2012 to uphold the license reversion. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2014 and all parties agreed that any exploitation and licensing of Speed Racer after May 31, 2011 is unauthorized unless granted directly through Tatsunoko.
The 1967-68 car-racing anime Mach Go Go Go was licensed by Trans-Lux and released in the United States in 1967 as Speed Racer. The series inspired an incomplete remake, Speed Racer X, in 1997, and a series of spinoff shorts, Mach Girl, in 2008. Tatsunoko granted SRE a temporary license for the franchise in 2000.
Lions Gate produced the Speed Racer: The Next Generation remake with the New York studio Animation Collective in 2008. Also in 2008, the Wachowskis (The Matrix, Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending) directed an American live-action film adaptation.
Thanks to Liam for the news tip.
