She not only supports Speed from the air in her wonderfully pink helicopter, she also tends to get her way when it comes to her and Speed's relationship. She and Speed become fast friends and she is quickly considered family by the rest of the Racers. In the present, Trixie hasn't lost her strength and defiance. Even in flashbacks to Speed's grade school days, Trixie is strong and defiant, protecting Speed from getting made fun of by a group of snobby blonde girls while admiring his differences. She's smart, sassy, she fights for what she wants and she's a genuinely fun character. Speaking of roles, Trixie is one of the coolest characters in "Speed Racer." She is Speed's childhood sweetheart and present day girlfriend. Like Hirsch, Goodman looks exactly like the his anime counterpart, Pops a jolly, irritable, stern, loving and hard-working father. We dare you to find a John Goodman role that isn't at least one of those. And last but not least, John Goodman plays a role that seems tailor-made just for him. Roger Allam is wonderfully frightening as the two-faced corporate villain we love to hate. Susan Sarandon takes her maternal role with stride, a perfect Mom Racer. It shows, too, as Hirsch plays a perfectly humble, sincere and earnest Speed, finding just the right mix of cheesy and inspiring.
How these high-profile actors were cast in an anime adaptation is mind-boggling, but it sure worked out well, the cast put all of their heart into these roles.Įmile Hirsch not only looks exactly like Speed Racer, he prepared for the role by watching every episode of the anime and meeting with professional racers. There's Emile Hirsch as Speed, Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer, John freaking Goodman as Pops Racer and Roger Allam as villain Arnold Royalton. If there's truly one thing to love about "Speed Racer," it's the cast.