Vince Vaughn has apparently rekindled the fire under the WB concerning the live adaptation of the once-popular Japanese cartoon series Speed Racer. The project is being produced by Joel Silver and Richard and Lauren Shuler Donner. Vaughn would find himself in the role of Racer X,the long-lost but protective brother of the title character, the young driver who travels from race to race with his family.
The pic at one time had names such as Gus Van Sant, Hype Williams, Alfonso Cuaron and Julien Temple (who had Johnny Depp set for the lead role). Due to budget constraints the film never got into gear but Vaughn revived it by pitching a streamlined take that concentrated more on character and a family angle than budget-busting race scenes.
