The Wachowski Sisters' live-action anime adaptation, Speed Racer, is receiving a stunning 4K Ultra HD remaster, set to release on May 19 digitally and on 4K UHD Blu-ray. This restoration features upgraded color and Dolby Atmos sound, promising an enhanced viewing experience for fans. To celebrate, Collider's Steve Weintraub spoke with star Emile Hirsch, revisiting the cult classic nearly two decades after its initial release.

Upon its debut in 2008, Speed Racer was infamously not embraced by critics and experienced a painful box office failure. Emile Hirsch recalls the disheartening experience, stating, "It almost felt like the world was against us." The poor performance dashed hopes for sequels, leading the cast and crew to believe the franchise was "killed." However, over the years, the film slowly garnered a fervent cult following. Hirsch observed this organic shift, noting essays praising it as a "masterpiece" and witnessing audience members crying audibly during a midnight screening at the New Beverly, emotionally connecting with the film's sincerity and themes of purpose and childhood wonder.

Hirsch himself witnessed the impressive enhancements of the 4K remaster, noting how micro-details in the backgrounds, particularly during the Thunderhead race, gained incredible clarity. The color schemes were meticulously worked on by a world-class colorist, with Lana Wachowski personally overseeing the process, texting Hirsch about its "amazing" look. This meticulous attention ensures a truly immersive visual and auditory experience for the remaster.

When asked to compare Speed Racer to The Matrix, Hirsch acknowledged the subjectivity of art. While hesitant to declare one "better," he described The Matrix as "enlightening" and Speed Racer as "cathartic." He noted that the strong emotional attachment people have to Speed Racer suggests a unique impact.

The film's initial commercial failure meant that planned sequels never materialized. Hirsch revealed that the Wachowskis had ideas for a follow-up, though they didn't elaborate extensively. Lana Wachowski did, however, tease a physical transformation for Speed, telling Hirsch, "On the next one, I want to get you more muscular, get you some abs. Speed’s gotten bigger and bulkier." This comment was made after Hirsch had just completed Into the Wild, which required him to be very skinny.

Hirsch also shed light on the demanding production process, particularly the extensive use of the greenscreen and the powerful gimbal, a robotic arm with a cockpit. He spent 19 days in the constantly jostling gimbal, which possessed immense power capable of causing serious injury. Hirsch found that the physical discomfort and feeling of being trapped in the cockpit inadvertently fed Speed's anger, intensity, and irritation in certain scenes. He recounted an incident where the gimbal malfunctioned, spinning him wildly.

Another notable aspect of Speed Racer's production was the involvement of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch as stunt coordinators. Before they became acclaimed directors of films like John Wick and The Fall Guy, they showcased their talent for imaginative stunts and action sequences on the set of Speed Racer, even creating concept videos for the Wachowskis. Hirsch recalled a humorous exchange where actor Kick Gurry asked Leitch how many actors he and Stahelski could "kick the ass of," to which Leitch jokingly replied, "Like, infinity."