Actor Hiroyuki Sanada takes part in U.S. premiere of 'Speed Racer'

Wednesday 30th April, 06:07 AM JST

HOLLYWOOD —

Actor Hiroyuki Sanada, 47, took part this week in the world premiere of his new film “Speed Racer” in Hollywood, with about 4,000 fans in attendance.

On the red carpet, Sanada said, “I grew up watching the original Japanese animated version of ‘Speed Race,’ so I am here partly as one of its fans. It’s really exciting. The nationality of the characters has completely changed. But the spirit of the original animation remains.”

The Japan premiere is scheduled to be held in Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on June 29, and the film will be released July 5 nationwide in Japan.

7 Comments

raymech1 at 01:46 AM JST - 1st May

I thought the characters looked more white american than Japanese, right?

Not sure how he came up with that thought.
tokyotom at 09:08 AM JST - 1st May

that is what he is saying, re read his comment
telecasterplayer at 10:54 AM JST - 1st May

I hope those weirdo wachoskis didn't ruin it, or if they did, it'll be so bad everyone will forget it quickly. I grew up on "speed racer", with the '60's action music and goofy early anime style. The previews have all this dayglo computer generated crap.
raymech1 at 02:16 PM JST - 1st May

I got what he said, but what i'm saying the characters were never japanese in the first place. You would have though he knew that before saying what he said.
Sarge at 11:42 AM JST - 3rd May

In the original Japanese version the characters were Japanese. So Sanada is correct in saying the nationality of the characters has changed. And the Mach 5 looks like a white batmobile.
Zen_Builder at 11:45 AM JST - 3rd May

Didn't think that the Mach 5 changed all that much from the original design. Which kinda surprised me.
amerijap at 02:04 PM JST - 11th May

I watched the movie last night. Yep, he's in the screen, speaking plain English with a British accent.