George Lopez to voice Speedy Gonzales in live action/CG movie

Cartoon Brew ^ | 2/24/10 | Jerry Beck

[raccoonradio]

(Beck) From the story in today’s Hollywood Reporter:

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“We wanted to make sure that it was not the Speedy of the 1950s — the racist Speedy,” said the comedian’s wife Ann Lopez, who will serve alongside him as a producer. “Speedy’s going to be a misunderstood boy who comes from a family that works in a very meticulous setting, and he’s a little too fast for what they do. He makes a mess of that. So he has to go out in the world to find what he’s good at.” That path becomes clearer once Speedy befriends a gun-shy race-car driver.
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(Beck): “The racist Speedy”? Pardon me, but the Speedy I know from the 1950s cartoons was a hero, a champion. I would suggest the writers watch a few of the cartoons before inventing a scenario from whole cloth.

[raccoonradio]

Arriba! Arriba! Andale!

I think Cartoon Network took off Speedy Gonzales due to complaints about racial stereotypes.

Here's a Speedy short, Mexicali Schmoes

The Hollywood Reporter article:
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Speedy Gonzales is taking his folk-hero status, incredible speed and signature red kerchief to the big screen, with help from George Lopez.

The comedian is attached to provide the voice of the fastest mouse in all Mexico for a politically correct live-action/CG hybrid feature set up at New Line Cinema.

The Looney Tunes character debuted in the 1950s as a regular nemesis of Sylvester the Cat. A 1955 short about the tiny hero, "Speedy Gonzales," won the Academy Award for best short subject, (cartoon). Pat Boone even released a hit song about the famous mouse in 1962.

Over the years, Speedy appeared in the live-action/animation features "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Space Jam" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action." But the character has often courted criticism that the ethnic characterizations of him and his compatriots (especially lazy cousin Slowpoke Rodriguez) are stereotypically racist and severely outdated.

Aware of this, New Line and the producers plan to update the brand with a modernized sensibility.

"We wanted to make sure that it was not the Speedy of the 1950s -- the racist Speedy," said the comedian's wife Ann Lopez, who will serve alongside him as a producer. "Speedy's going to be a misunderstood boy who comes from a family that works in a very meticulous setting, and he's a little too fast for what they do. He makes a mess of that. So he has to go out in the world to find what he's good at."

That path becomes clearer once Speedy befriends a gun-shy race-car driver.

"Garfield" scribes Alec Sokolow and Joel Cohen will write the script.

Lopez hosts "Lopez Tonight" on TBS and appears in New Line's ensemble hit "Valentine's Day," which has grossed $158 million worldwide after two weekends. He also recently starred in "The Spy Next Door" and provided a voice for "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."

[Gaffer]

If it’s George Lopez, then he can call on the support of his Chicano American Brothers and Mexican illegals to support and hoot for him. I’m tired of hearing him crow about how Latinos are taking over and illegals are not going to go home. He can suck it.

[KarlInOhio]

Just taking comedy jobs American mice don't want.

[hometoroost]

As Speedy’s cousin would say, “where do we get these brains?”

[Kansas58]

Lopez is a left wing kook.

Too bad, since some of his stuff is funny, like when he went off on the greens once, saying that “Latino’s don't give a #### about global warming” -—

[newgeezer]

“We wanted to make sure that it was not the Speedy of the 1950s — the racist Speedy,” said the comedian’s wife Ann Lopez, who will serve alongside him as a producer.

Thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to miss this, and stick with the Warner Bros. cartoons.

[Eagle Eye]

Next is a remake of Popeye...except he won’t smoke a pipe, won’t have a ‘sqeenky’ eye, won’t eat his vegetables, won’t engage in violent encounters, and won’t be a he.

Other than that, Popeye will be the same cartoon millions of kids grew up with.

[GeronL]

Lopez is far more racist than Speedy ever was!

[Question Liberal Authority]

There was a compilation of old Popeye cartoons released on DVD.

The set contained a WARNING LABEL stating that the content was for adult collector interest only and not suitable for minors.

[a fool in paradise]

Speedy Gonzales wasn’t racist. It was a sex joke.

Mel Blanc even knew the joke (and I think it was alluded to in one of the shorts).

“Speedy Gonzales is in love with my sister!”
“Speedy Gonzales loves EVERYBODY’S SISTER!”

[SoldierDad]

Well, yet another waste of time from the Hollyweird elites.

[GeronL]

Teen Wolf is being remade with a girl lead

Red Dawn is being remade with I could only guess what liberal messages

A-Team is on the way... trailer looks pretty good.

Nothing original coming, you can bet on that

[Clemenza]

There is a ring of truth to that. Most of the developing world doesn't give a sh-t about global warming, although the European-descended haute bourgeoisie of Latin America unfortunately does.

Methinks it will be the Indians (from India) who will sink the so-called "global" obsession over climate change.

[a fool in paradise]

I don’t think anyone should include Space Jam in their filmography. OUCH.

[Question Liberal Authority]

Note warning label on bottom of package.

[a fool in paradise]

But the character has often courted criticism that the ethnic characterizations of him and his compatriots (especially lazy cousin Slowpoke Rodriguez) are stereotypically racist and severely outdated.

[ASOC]

I dunno man, a whole of a racial stereotypes in the series - maybe not Speedy, the rest ain't much to point to and celebrate.

[left that other site]

Thank you for posting the link to the full cartoon.

I just enjoyed five minutes of sanity from this miserable world.

Jose and Manuel, the Cats, are no more stupid, lazy or evil than Wile E. Coyote, who is 100% American!

LOL.

WB was an equal opportunity insulter! hahahahahahahahahaha

[Question Liberal Authority]

Karate Kid is also being remade with a girl lead.

Oliver Stone is remaking Wall Street with Michael Douglas and Shia LaBoef.

[TexasBeth]

Nobody at my house will see it because of the racist that has been cast in the starring roll.