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HOLLYWOOD — The fastest mouse in all Mexico is finally headed to the big screen.
Fans of the Looney Tunes icon, Speedy Gonzales, are excited to hear the high-speed hero of the 50s and 60s will be taking on Hollywood in a film tentatively titled “Speedy.”
According to an exclusive at Deadline, Mexican filmmaker and actor Eugenio Derbez will be lending his voice to Gonzales. When asked about the project, Derbez said:
“In Mexico we grew up watching Speedy Gonzales. He was like a superhero to us, or maybe more like a revolutionario like Simon Bolivar or Pancho Villa. He watched out for the little people, but with a lot of bravado and a weakness for the ladies. I’m really excited to be bringing this character to the big screen. And besides being Mexican— my full name is Eugenio Derbez Gonzalez and I have big ears. The casting couldn’t be better.”
Derbez and Ben Odell’s 3Pas Studios will work to produce the picture along with Dylan Sellers via Rivers Edge. The film is set to be released in both English and Spanish and Sellers explains the story will place Gonzales in the classic Robin Hood scenario:
“We see this as an origin story of the great master, like a Robin Hood character, who ultimately ends up taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In a time when Donald Trump is gaining momentum, the world needs Speedy more than ever.”
But not all fans are convinced Sellers is correct.
Gonzales is a mouse that has attracted controversy in the past, causing both Warner Brothers and Cartoon Network to shelve the character at times due to concerns of racial stereotypes — a concern many on Twitter are already discussing:
A #SpeedyGonzales movie? No, that won't have any pitfalls 4 classic Hollywood racism. @NatalieFox32 gm #supacutest
— Chris Ross (@mestasenesta) April 5, 2016
Hey, white dudes, tell me more about how #SpeedyGonzales isn't offensive at all and I should learn how to "take a joke."
— Galaxican (@Galaxicanicus) April 5, 2016
‘Speedy Gonzales’ Eyed As Animated Feature https://t.co/lTWEmkmqSq via @Deadline This had better be ironic! #WarnerBros#SpeedyGonzales
— Steven Ramirez (@byStevenRamirez) April 4, 2016
Controversy aside, it looks like the project has received the green light and will be in theaters sooner than later.
So what do you think? Is the world ready for a Robin Hood speedster, or is Gonzales a racial stereotype that needs to be shelved for good? Post your thoughts in the comments or take our poll.
Travis Poppleton has been covering movie news, film reviews and live events for Deseret News and KSL.com since 2010 and co-hosts the FlixJunkies podcast. You can contact him at tspoppleton@gmail.com.
