J.J. Abrams Developing Speed Racer Live Action Series at Apple

A live-action Speed Racer, produced by J.J. Abrams, is currently in the works at Apple. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new series, based on the popular manga and animated show, has been in the works for years. Hiram Martinez (Snowpiercer, Get Shorty), is slated to co-write the Speed Racer series and serve as showrunner.

Speed Racer was originally created by Tatsuo Yoshida and adapted into an anime series in the 1960s. In 2002, Nickelodeon produced an English-language remake, but the cartoon ended abruptly due to licensing issues. Then, in 2008, Lana and Lilly Wachowski adapted the anime into a live-action film starring Emile Hirsch, but it flopped and ended up losing money at the box office.

Speed Racer tells the story of a race car driver, his car — the Mach 5 — and his team, consisting of his father, brother, girlfriend, and pet chimpanzee. Occasionally, Speed Racer butts heads with Racer X, who is secretly his older brother, Rex Racer.

Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.