Mattel Inc. this month announced Jon Chu as the director for its live-action Hot Wheels film.
Additionally, the film will be co-produced with Santa Monica-based Bad Robot – owned by Bryan Bruk and acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams – and Warner Bros. Pictures in Burbank. The script will be penned by writing partners Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier known for their work on “Creed II” and “They Cloned Tyrone.”
The film comes off the heels of Mattel’s 2023 Greta Gerwig-directed hit “Barbie,” which grossed over $1.4 billion globally, making it the 14th highest grossing film of all time. Chu himself has produced multiple box office smashes, including “Crazy Rich Asians” and the first part of Broadway adaptation “Wicked,” the sequel to which releases in November.
Robbie Brenner, president and chief content officer of Mattel Studios, said Chu’s “ability to craft rich, elaborate worlds with a distinct point of view makes him the ideal storyteller to bring Hot Wheels to life. His films are visual spectacles…but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.”
‘Lucky to collaborate’
Abrams – whose directorial debut was “Mission Impossible III” in 2006 – notably directed and co-produced “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” for The Walt Disney Co. Bad Robot rose to fame with 2008’s found footage monster movie “Cloverfield” followed by Abrams’ reboot of the Star Trek franchise.
“We already felt incredibly lucky to collaborate with Mattel on this special film,” Abrams said in a statement. “Having Jon, Juel and Tony come aboard takes our excitement to a whole new level.”
This will be Bad Robot’s and Mattel’s first film together. Bad Robot is collaborating with Warner Bros. on an animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” – with Chu slated to direct – and Mattel worked with Warner Bros. on “Barbie.”
The Hot Wheels film will also be produced by Chu’s Beverly Hills based Electric Somewhere. That company is also in the process of developing a film adaptation of the Broadway show “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
While no plot or actors have been announced, the film will be focused on Mattel’s Hot Wheels line of toys, which have been around since 1968, and Mattel claims is “the number one selling toy in the world.”
Mattel has their sights set on expanding their film selection, with plans to create films for a large number of their toy lines like the American Girl Doll and popular card game Uno.
These films are not the only venture Mattel has invested in, as they plan to open their new theme park later this year in Glendale Arizona. The park will have rides dedicated to their stock of toys as well as interactive elements and shopping. The park in Arizona is estimated to cost $260 million and is a part of a large development of the $1 billion VAI Resort, a hotel set to contain entertainment and culinary features.
They also have announced plans to place another park in Bonner Springs, Kansas, set to cost around $487 million.
