The Mach 5 is making a comeback.
“Speed Racer: The Next Generation” launches May 2 on Nicktoons with a 90-minute premiere.
Based on the original cartoon that first aired in 1967, the animated “Next Generation” is part of a “Speed Racer” revival that includes a live-action film from Warner Bros. and the Wachowskis (“The Matrix”) starring Emile Hirsch and Mathew Fox; the movie opens nationwide May 9.
The new animated series consists of 26 half-hours that will appear Fridays at 7 p.m.
“Speed Racer: The Next Generation” follows Speed after he arrives at the Racing Academy. He meets friends Conor, Lucy and Chim Chim and proves he is the driver to beat. Over the course of the series, Speed and his pals try to solve the mystery of his late father’s disappearance and build a new racer, the Mach 6, which runs on a gasless engine designed by his father.
“Nicktoons Network is thrilled to add a completely new version of this iconic property to our brand,” said Keith Dawkins, Nicktoons Network’s general manager and senior VP of Nickelodeon Programming Partnerships. “‘Speed Racer’ has global appeal as a comic book, television series and feature film. It’s a great way to grow our brand and bring something new and exciting to our audience.”
“Speed Racer: The Next Generation” is executive produced by John and Jim Rocknowski, principals of Speed Racer Enterprises, and Larry Schwarz, CEO of Animation Collective.