'Speed Racer' movie tie-in announced

Forthcoming movie Speed Racer is to also become a video game after publisher Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment announced plans for its release.

The title, which is being developed for Wii, DS and PS2, will see players take on the role of the characters from the film, getting behind the wheel of each character's signature vehicle.

The Speed Racer movie, which is based on the 1960s cartoon series, is being written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers, famed for their work on The Matrix Trilogy and V for Vendetta, and is said to feature plenty of "car-fu" action as seen in their previous flicks.

“Speed Racer is an exceptionally creative property and teamed with the Wachowski brothers’ vision it makes for action-packed racing gameplay,” said Samantha Ryan, senior vice president at Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. “The game will capture the intensity of the racing in the film to give gamers and movie fans a chance to take the wheel after the experience the film.”

“We are very excited about this natural extension from the Speed Racer film to the videogame. Larry and Andy are videogame fans themselves, so they believe that an interactive game is a key component to the entire Speed Racer experience,” said film producer Joel Silver.

The movie, which follows a young race-car driver called Speed in his quest for glory, is expected to be released at cinemas May 2008.

The game wll be released on Wii and DS to coincide with the film launch, while the PS2 version is planned for release when the DVD of the film goes on sale.