Ricci's big in Japan.I don’t mean to jump on the bandwagon here, but count me out as one who’s even anticipating Speed Racer. The whole pop culture phenom of a neckscarf guy in a race car has eluded me, but holds a tender place in many hearts. I’ll be gentle.

Casting for Speed Racer continues to fill out at a nice clip, with fawned over Christina Ricci (but not by I, thank you) jumping into the role as Trixie, Speed Racer Emile Hirsch’s helicopter-flying ladyfriend, who will undoubtedly be updated to 2008 feminine strength. Perhaps less "Watch out Speed Racer! He’s on you Speed Racer!" and more "I’m gonna f**k that b***h up, Speed Racer! Just wait till I get you home after the race tonight, Speed Racer!"

I’ll defer to those who are more Speed Racer-educated on whether this movie is even a good idea or not (or if the brand has enough horse power to get it out of the niche anime/nostalgia racing circuit), but as Micah mentioned a few weeks ago, the Wachowskis aren’t messing around with the cast, so maybe there’s something to this little endeavor.

Speed Racer wants to shoot oh-so-badly in Berlin this summer, giving it approximately a year to put something entertaining together in time for what’s already shaping up to be a ballbusting summer of 2008.