LEGO has just announced an agreement with Warner Bros. to secure construction toy rights for the upcoming movie “Speed Racer,” the live action feature film adaptation of the classic TV series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. The movie is being written and directed by The Wachowski Brothers.

Under the agreement, LEGO will produce four constructible racing playsets under its LEGO Racers brand, scheduled to hit store shelves in April 2008, and ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99 USD. Many of the “Speed Racer” characters also will come to life in LEGO minifigure form, including Speed, Racer X, Trixie, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Mom and Pops Racer, Taejo Togokhan, Snake Oiler, Gray Ghost and Cruncher Block.

“Warner Bros. Consumer Products has partnered with LEGO on Batman and Harry Potter, and we are excited to expand our relationship to include products based on the upcoming “Speed Racer” film,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “LEGO has captured the racing excitement of the film in its own unique way.”

“The popularity and universal appeal of “Speed Racer” has engaged generations of loyal and enduring fans,” said Jill Wilfert, Vice President, Partnership and Alliance Management for LEGO Group. “Combined with one of our most popular lines in LEGO Racers, SPEED RACER has become an awesome proposition for our business and consumers.” 

The green flag drops on May 9, 2008, when “Speed Racer” makes his feature film debut in the newest project from writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking The Matrix trilogy, and producer Joel Silver. A live-action, high-octane family adventure based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the big-screen “Speed Racer” will follow the adventures of the young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thundering Mach 5. It will feature other characters that fans of the show will remember, including Mom (Susan Sarandon) and Pops Racer (John Goodman), girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox).

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8161 LEGO Grand Prix l (below)

The race is on! Speed’s Mach 6 race car is capable of 250 mph and is ready for the Grand Prix. But so are his opponents – Gray Ghost and Cannonball Taylor. It will take a skilled builder to help gear up for the race and determine the winner. Set includes 3 race cars: the Mach 6, Gray Ghost’s car, Cannonball Taylor’s car, 6 minifigures and Chim-Chim, the chimp.

595 pieces Age 9

$59.99 (USD) $ 84.99 (CAD)

8160 LEGO Cruncher Block and Racer X (below)

Cruncher Block tries to fix every race, but race car driver and secret agent, Racer X, is out to stop him. He’ll have to be careful – Cruncher Block’s massive semi truck doubles as his headquarters and is armed. Includes Crunch Block, Racer X and Speed Racer minifigures.

367 pieces Age 7

$39.99 (USD) $ 54.99 (CAD)

8159 LEGO Racer X & Taejo Togokahn (below)

With the mysterious Racer X and Taejo Togokahn teaming up, Togokahn Motors is ready to win at the challenging Casa Cristo Classic cross-country road rally. Includes Racer X and Taejo minifigures.

237 pieces Age 7

$19.99 (USD) $ 26.99 (CAD)

8158 LEGO Speed Racer and Snake Oiler (below)

Born to race cars, Speed is daring, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. Driving his supercharged Mach 5, he will need everything he’s got to beat Snake Oiler at the Casa Cristo Classic cross-country road rally. Includes Speed Racer and Snake minifigures. 242 pieces Age 7

$19.99 (USD) $ 26.99

Available in April