Lionsgate Cashes In On Speed Racer

It’s pretty standard fare for studios to try and cash in on big theatrical releases with DVD tie-ins. Freebie tickets or special releases are common for this sort of thing, but Lionsgate is taking it to the next level with Speed Racer: The Next Generation – The Beginning.

Clearly this is a tie-in for this summer’s live action Speed Racer film, directed by the Wachowski brothers. Lionsgate is releasing a new feature-length animated movie on DVD, headed to stores on May 6th, three days before the live action version races into theaters.

Now, this release isn’t as original as it sounds. Even though it’s being advertised as “all new,” really this is the pilot for Nicktoons’ new Speed Racer series, which follows the adventures of the son of the legendary racer. It even features Peter Fernandez, the original voice of Speed Racer, as the headmaster of the racing academy where it takes place.

I’ll pass this one by as I’ve never been a huge fan of Speed Racer to begin with, but if you’re following the new cartoon and anxiously awaiting the Wachowski’s presentation then you might want to check this out on May 6th. For now, take a look at some stills below in the image gallery.