The Korean singer and actor Rain has a foot in the door in Hollywood after being cast in "Speed Racer", the next film by the Wachowski brothers, who created "The Matrix". Rain is to play a character who takes part in high-speed car races to secure his father's company. Rain's manager claimed the K-pop star's role "holds the key to the movie". "Though it is a supporting role, Rain will manage the flow of the movie between the two main parts". The character's name has not been decided.
He was picked by the director after competing with 20 Asian actors including top stars in Asia. Rain met with the Wachowski bothers at Berlin in April. He will participate in a production press conference in Berlin on May 31, and start filming in the German capital for two months after finishing his world tour in June.
"Speed Racer" is based on the popular Japanese animation "Mach Go Go". The movie is expected to be released next May and cost W260 billion (US$1=W924). Emile Hirsch, who starred in "The Girl Next Door", is to play the hero Speed. Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci will also appear in supporting roles.
"It is my debut in Hollywood. I will do my best, taking each step cautiously", Rain was quoted in a press release as saying. It is the singer's second movie role after "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" directed by Park Chan-wook. Park Joong-hoon was the first Korean actor to appear in a Hollywood movie.
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