Hot on the heels of the big-screen flick, a sequel to old favorite 'Speed Racer' will be coming to a television near you, courtesy of Nicktoons. Variety reports that Lionsgate is planning its first foray into animation with a 26 episode order for the new show, which should premiere sometime next year.  The new series picks up years after the original (and film).  Speed's son joins a racing academy, only to discover his own origins and also that he has a brother he never knew about, who becomes the new Racer X.  Speed's brother Spritle is the headmaster of the academy, and his companion Chim-Chim is now a robot.  Speed and X team up against villains who try to steal the Mach 6 (an update of Dad's ride) and togetehr the brothers search for the whereabouts of their missing father.

Ken Katsumoto, exec VP of family entertainment at Lionsgate, said, "It seemed like the right time to do a revival.  When this opportunity arose to revive such a classic property, we jumped."  When asked about the merchandising potential, especially considering the movie tie-in, he said, "What we're hearing from licensees is they love the longevity of a series brand.  This franchise deserves more than a 10-week box office run. It deserves a five-year TV run."

Animation Collective CEO Larry Schwarz will executive produce the series with Speed Racer Enterprise principals John and James Rocknowski.  Like upcoming animated series The Spectacular Spider-Man, the producers plan to make the series fall into three episode arcs which also operate as stand-alone stories.