My Theory On Why Speed Racer Bombed

I haven't had seen Speed Racer yet as I'm laid up in bed with the head cold from hell, but I think there's an obvious reason why the film bombed in comparison to Iron Man.

Emile Hirsch is no Robert Downey Jr. and Christina Ricci is no Gwyneth Paltrow.

Two words: Zac Efron. Apparently the Wachowskis were in talks with Zac but he didn't screen test well, as (according to the New York Daily News) he didn't connect with the romantic lead and he didn't seem believable as a leading man. While purists and older fans of the original series might have been outraged, let's face it, the film would have made a killing in its opening weekend with Zac.

As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman: Big mistake. Big. Huge.