LAS VEGAS — Warner Bros. unleashed candy-colored, neon-bright footage from a supercharged “Speed Racer,” promised an epic crime story in its latest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight,” and welcomed George Lucas back to the studio after a nearly 40-year absence as it previewed its summer line-up at ShoWest on Thursday.

Alan Horn, Warner Bros. president and COO, presiding over the show-and-tell, drew applause from exhibitors when he announced “Warner Bros. is committed to theatrical distribution in the theaters, period,” as he reviewed recent developments at the Burbank studio.

Acknowledging that Warners will take over distribution of the New Line slate, he said Time Warners’ decision to fold New Line into Warners was so recent that “we’re sort of figuring it out.” He added, though, that “New Line will remain a freestanding company, with its own label and own set of films.”

Producer Joel Silver was drafted to introduce a fast-paced four minutes and 10 seconds from “Speed Racer,” the Wachowski Brothers’ big-screen adaptation of the TV toon set for a May 9 release.

Silver explained that the Wachowskis took on the project because they wanted to make a PG-rated movie their nephews and nieces could see and also because they viewed it as a formal challenge, in which they proposed always keeping foreground, middle ground and background in focus.

The high-octance footage left the movie’s three stars — Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci, who were then called to the stage at Paris Hotel’s Theatre des Artists — repeating virtually the same words. Each admitted to being “blown away.”

Hollywood Reporter

Screen caps for LOST episode 4×06: The Other Woman:

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Next Action/Adventure From the Makers of The Matrix Trilogy To Be
Digitally Enhanced For IMAX’s Larger-Than-Life Format

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 4, 2008 — IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Speed Racer, the action-packed adventure from the creators of ‘The Matrix’ trilogy, will be simultaneously released to IMAX® and conventional theatres on May 9, 2008. Speed Racer, based on the hit anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, is written and directed by The Wachowski Brothers. The film will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. Warner Bros. Pictures will be the exclusive distributor of the film to IMAX theatres worldwide.

“Speed Racer combines riveting action with stunning special effects, making it an ideal choice for IMAX’s format,” said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. “We are delighted to release the film to IMAX theatres, where audiences can experience the next best thing to actually sitting in the driver’s seat during this high speed adventure.”

“Speed Racer is a fantastic addition to our 2008 film slate, and we are very pleased to welcome The Wachowski Brothers back to the world of IMAX,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “The unique vision of these talented filmmakers has always been well suited to IMAX’s format, and we’re more than excited to be a part of this release.”

“Speed Racer has all the elements for a powerful IMAX experience, with its broad appeal and spectacular effects,” said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. “We are excited to be exhibiting the film internationally in this unique format.”

“Audiences will experience an incredible thrill ride when they see Speed Racer in IMAX theatres this May,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Warner Bros Pictures, The Wachowski Brothers and Joel Silver are masters at telling stories specifically for the big IMAX screen, and with up to 14,000 watts of digital surround sound combined with crystal-clear, larger than life images, this movie and IMAX are made for each other.”

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized-the legendary Rex Racer - whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer, the designer of Speed’s thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company’s maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret-some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won’t drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family’s business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie, Speed teams with his one-time rival-the mysterious Racer X - to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.