Speed Racer Takes Off at World Premiere in L.A.

Ariel Winter and Nicholas Elia. Photo ©NYJT

Matthew Fox. Photo ©NYJT

Harry Hamlin, Lisa Rinna, and family. Photo ©NYJT

Emile Hirsch with girlfriend.
Photo ©NYJT

Joel Silver and family.
Photo ©NYJT

Richard Roundtree. Photo ©NYJT

Speed Racer Takes Off at World Premiere in L.A.

Mach 5. Photo ©NYJT

“Speed Racer” stars, friends, and fans took a pit stop at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre for the world premiere of the soon to be summer blockbuster. The highly anticipated action packed family film from producer Joel Silver and directors Larry and Andy Wachowski races to the big screen on May 9 with stunning live action performances from a star-studded, international cast.

The film, based on Tatsuo Yoshida's original 1960s anime, debuted in a mega premiere which matched perfectly with the colorful and larger than life feel of the film.

Jon Voight. Photo ©NYJT

A sizzling red carpet blazed like a speedway with fans cheering wildly in the grandstands for their favorite stars. Music pumping and giant screens glowing with clips from the film only added to the electric atmosphere generated by stars Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Asian pop sensation Rain, Christian Oliver and the entire “Speed Racer” cast.

Rounding the corner of the red carpet first was Hollywood favorite Jon Voight looking dapper as always. Unfazed by the L.A. heat, Voight was characteristically cool, greeting fans and Warner Bros. crew members like old friends.

The centerpiece of the premiere was the famous Mach 5, Speed Racer’s unforgettable racecar. As Voight approached the car, he joked around with photographers when he was told by one to “face the car”. Voight gladly said “okay” and turned his back to the press to stare at the Mach 5 before whipping back around with a smile.

Asian pop star Rain. Photo ©NYJT

Following Voight were two of the young stars from “Speed Racer”. Just as professional as their grown-up counterparts, smiling child actors Nicholas Elia (young Speed Racer) and Ariel Winter (young Trixie) were pros at posing for the camera and entertaining the fans.

Scott Porter, who plays Rex in “Speed Racer”, followed down the carpet with Rain arriving shortly after. The Asian pop star wore a fashionable tan suit and white shirt ensemble and seemed right at home on the red carpet beaming for photographers and waving to fans.

The friendly and charismatic star who plays racer Taejo Togokhan also displayed a gentle and unassuming quality. When Rain noticed his “Speed Racer” co-star Christian Oliver on the red carpet, he warmly embraced his friend saying, “Hey buddy!”

After posing in front of a flurry of flashbulbs and throwing up a final Miley Cyrus-style peace sign for the press, Rain dashed off before the movie started.

Christian Oliver. Photo ©NYJT

Charming actor Oliver then had a good time with the the photogs and delighted fans, posing in a stylish white suit and showing off the fun and colorful shirt he was wearing under his jacket which featured a snake pattern representing the racing character he plays in the film, Snake Oiler.

Oliver was happy to talk about the fun and camaraderie between the “Speed Racer” cast. “It was great to hang out with the guys at the hotel and get to know them and have a little Speed Racer family. I mean there was not a bad apple in the whole cast. It was amazing.”

“You see someone like Emile Hirsch who’s up and coming or Rain who is like a superstar…so from all over the world from all different continents…to have all these people come together for this one thing. It was great, it was a lot of fun.” Asked if there would be a “Speed Racer” sequel in the future, the actor enthusiastically said, “I hope so…I think everybody would say that we had an amazing time and we want to do another one, for sure!”

Next to arrive, adding a classic touch to the affair, was little Paulie Litt who plays Speed’s wisecracking little brother Spritle in the movie. Just like stars at premieres from the golden age of Hollywood, the young and likeable Litt showed up in a black tie tux but added a kick to it with plaid sneakers. Also looking stylish was Richard Roundtree in a gold toned suit and a laid back demeanor. Roundtree plays Ben Burns, a former racing champion in the film.

Cool and collected, Japanese super star Hiroyuki Sanada sauntered down the red carpet and met up with “Racer” co star Rain later on. The two disappeared into the background and seemed liked buddies; laughing and taking in the whole event.

Looking lovely and demur, Christina Ricci, who plays Speed’s girlfriend Trixie in the film, graced the premiere with her sweet demeanor. Wearing a smart black and white print dress, she exuded the glamour of old Hollywood and looked ready for summer. Suave and mysterious, Matthew Fox chose a black-on-black ensemble which was a perfect fit for the enigmatic Racer X character he plays in the film .

Golden Globe nominee Emile Hirsch, who plays the title role in “Speed Racer”, arrived shortly after and went instead for a classic denim look. Against the Mach 5, Hirsch was reminiscent of James Dean.

Joined closely with his girlfriend, Emile greeted excited fans and later warmly greeted the producer of the film, Joel Silver. Both were very friendly with one another and looked very happy to see each other again.

Emile, thrilled to be at the premiere of “Speed Racer”, even stopped for a moment to bend down and greet an especially young fan who wanted to meet him. He introduced himself to the young boy, smiling and giving him a high five.

Following Speed Racer star arrivals were “Dancing with the Stars” favorites Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna looking fabulous with their family. The couple’s kids seemed overjoyed to be seeing the film as did the children of recording artist “Slash” who arrived minutes later.

And, just when it seemed all the fanfare was over and everyone had gone inside before the start of the movie, Emile Hirsch came back for one last lap; and, this time, he pleasantly surprised everyone by happily posing and reuniting with the Mach 5 to show the world just how cool Speed Racer really is.

“Speed Racer” opens May 9th. Watch the official trailer for "Speed Racer" with original music produced by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino here.

More Photos from the Premiere


Paulie Litt. Photo ©NYJT		Emmy Rossum. Photo ©NYJT