Christina as Trixie in Speed Racer Credit: Warner Bros.

You know when you meet that guy way back in 1st grade and just know he'll be your friend for life and maybe, someday, more? That's what it's like for Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) and Trixie (Christina Ricci) in the new, color-splashed actioner Speed Racer. This girl is no shrinking violet. Trixie flies a hot helicopter, kicks martial arts butt and drives a sleek race car alongside the hottest guys! Playing a gurl-powered character was super appealing to petite dynamo Christina Ricci. So was acting opposite hottie of the moment Emile Hirsch and veterans Susan Sarandon and John Goodman.

We went down to the Long Beach Grand Prix to watch races and chat with the Speed Racer cast. In a suite above the track, with the sounds of race cars whooshing by below, we met with Christina, and saw that she now looks very different than her character. Gone is Trixie's molded black bob, replaced by chin-length, blonde/brown streaked hair. In a cute black and white patterned, sleeveless dress, the star looked Vogue-chic. We wanted to know all about working with the wacky Wachowski brothers (who created The Matrix), doing many scenes in a green-screen room with few props and what car Christina would drive if she could have a world-wide choice. Go, Trixie, Go!

TeenHollywood: We like the new hair color. Is this for a role or just for you?