Movies
Wachowski Bros’ ‘Speed Racer’ Tanks at U.S. Box Office
By Ross von Metzke

May 12, 2008

Despite being one of the highest budgeted pictures of the summer, the Wachowski Brothers’ latest directorial effort, Speed Racer, tanked at the U.S. box office, bringing in less than $20 million opening weekend.  

Andy and Larry Wachowski are responsible for some of the most controversial and provocative films of the last decade, beginning with their debut film Bound, which made lesbian icons out of stars Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon.  

Famed for their Matrix series, the brothers served as executive producers on 2006’s V for Vendetta, a film which famously wove into the plot and a gay love story, which served to teach the film’s central message of tolerance.  

The Wachowski brothers have landed in the headlines several times throughout their film-making career, most recently when rumors began circulating that Larry had undergone a sex change to become Lana.  

A spokesperson for the brothers have confirmed that rumor to be false, though several sources have said that during 2007 press appearances, Larry had gone out in public dressed as a woman.  

Despite carrying a budget of well over $100 million, the dismally reviewed Speed Racer—starring Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci—is now poised to earn back less than half of its budget.