Fame and notoriety comes in many different forms. When it comes to Peter Fernandez, you could pass him by on the street and never know you just walked by a legend from the world of animated television. Although the Wachowskis have reignited interest in the animated Speed Racer with their upcoming big screen version of the late-60s classic, it was Peter Fernandez who voiced both Speed and Racer-X for the American version of the original series. As well, Fernandez was also the lyricist behind the show's familiar theme song.

Flash forward forty years and Fernandez is still a part of the Speed Racer franchise, serving as the voice of a middle-aged version of the original Spirtle in the new DVD release of Speed Racer: The Next Generation - The Beginning, which kicks off the new half-hour animated Speed Racer series that will air on Friday nights on the Nicktoons Network. In Speed Racer: The Next Generation, it's 35 years into the future and a young Speed is searching to uncover the secrets of his true identity while discovering plans for his new Mach 6 racer.

With Speed Racer: The Next Generation - The Beginning set for DVD release on May 6, The Deadbolt tracked down Peter Fernandez for an exclusive chat to learn more about "Headmaster Spirtle," the early days of Speed Racer, how he got involved with the new series, whether he's been contacted about the new Astroboy movie, the special qualities of Japanese animation... AND his small role in the upcoming big screen version of Speed Racer.

THE DEADBOLT: What’s it like revisiting Speed Racer all over again at this stage in your career?

PETER FERNANDEZ: It’s very interesting. I didn’t know what the series would be like and I just saw the first three episodes of the premiere three days ago. I thought the animation was terrific. Some of it was three dimensional. I thought those car chases were out of this world.

THE DEADBOLT: How do you view the franchise now as compared to when you started with Speed Racer?

FERNANDEZ: Well, I guess I have a lot more respect for it. Back when I originally did it, to me it was just another job, a good job. I didn’t know anything special would come out of it. It was hard work.

THE DEADBOLT: What were some of the challenges you faced in trying to Americanize the original Speed Racer?

FERNANDEZ: Well, certainly to try and fit dialogue into those mouths was difficult, because they talk so fast and the mouth moves so much sometimes. So I had to write lines that would sound normal but could be a lot to say.

THE DEADBOLT: Do you think Speed Racer is something different now after so many years?

FERNANDEZ: In the new series, I just play a part in it. I didn’t have to write or direct or anything. But it’s prerecorded so you could talk in natural speed for each person and then it’s animated to the voice. Whereas years ago, with the original Speed, I had to match the voice to the animation and that was one of the real challenges at that time. In doing the scripts back then I had great fun in thinking up the villain’s names.

THE DEADBOLT: How did Speed Racer: The Next Generation come about?

FERNANDEZ: I got a phone call from the gal who was hired to direct the voices, Risa Neuwirth, and she said, "I've got this series, Peter," and she’d never directed a series before. She watched me do Courage the Cowardly Dog, so she knew how to work things out. Then she said, "There’s a part I think you’d be perfect for and you've got to do something on Speed Racer." So she talked me into doing Spritle.

The Next Generation of Speed Racer with Peter Fernandez Page 2