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Geek Culture
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
'Hot Wheels' Live-Action Film Steered By 'Wicked' Filmmaker Jon M. Chu
Wicked director Jon M. Chu has been chosen to spearhead the live-action Hot Wheels movie for Warner Bros. According to a press release, the high-throttle motion picture will showcase 'some of the world's hottest and sleekest vehicles', bringing to life the iconic racing car toy line from Mattel. Photo credit: Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images Though plot details have not been revealed, Mattel Studios president and chief content officer Robbie Brenner explained his rationale for choosing Chu: 'Jon'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 — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.' Meanwhile, Chu said in a statement, 'Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it's about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play. Bringing that spirit to the big screen is an incredible opportunity. I'm excited to (…) create an adventure that honours Hot Wheels' legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.' The film, which was first announced over three years ago, will be produced by J. J. Abrams' company Bad Robot Productions and Chu's Electric Somewhere. Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, who have previously collaborated on Creed II and Netflix's They Cloned Tyrone , are to be the screenwriters. The choice to adapt the Mattel toy line into a live-action film comes hot on the heels of Barbie's massive commercial success, which grossed US$1.44 billion in worldwide markets. With the newfound potential to convert children's toy lines into profitable ventures, Mattel has quickly gotten to work, slating Barney, Polly Pocket, the Uno card game, and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot for film adaptations as well. Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu, and Ariana Grande behind-the-scenes on Wicked (2024) Choosing Chu to take the helm for this new project may certainly prove to be the right decision for Mattel to achieve their money-making blockbuster vision, given his recent success with Wicked: Part One, which grossed US$750 million worldwide and garnered 10 Oscar nominations. Chu's repertoire is already expanding, with his name being attached to various projects in development, such as a Play-Doh animated film, a Britney Spears biopic, and a stage-to-screen adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat . Though Chu looks to have his hands full with the countless new projects he will be involved in, fans can look forward to him gunning his engine as he steers Hot Wheels towards commercial success. Conversation with Ting Wei is like chatting with a weird AI bot programmed only with One Piece lore and theories, sitcom quotes and other miscellaneous pop culture references. When he's not sleeping, he's highly likely reading manga. In fact, the only thing he reads more than manga is the Bible, and it's honestly pretty close. Hot Wheels Jon M. Chu wicked movie Wicked Part 1
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hot Wheels Movie Finds Acclaimed Director for Live-Action Film
Wicked director Jon M. Chu has officially been tapped to helm Warner Bros.' upcoming live-action movie based on Mattel's popular toy car franchise. This marks Chu's latest collaboration with the studio after previously working together on 2018's Crazy Rich Asians adaptation and 2021's In the Heights movie. 'Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it's about imagination, connection and the thrill of play,' Chu said in a statement. 'Bringing that spirit to the big screen is an incredible opportunity. I'm excited to partner with Mattel Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Bad Robot to create an adventure that honors Hot Wheels' legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.' Chu will be directing the Hot Wheels movie from a screenplay written by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier. Further details about its plot are still being kept under wraps, but it is being described as an action movie that will showcase 'some of the world's hottest and sleekest vehicles.' The Hot Wheels franchise was first introduced by its inventor and Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler in 1968. 'Jon's ability to craft rich, elaborate worlds with a distinct point of view makes him the ideal storyteller to bring Hot Wheels to life,' Mattel Studios boss Robbie Brenner. 'His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames. Paired with Juel and Tony's compelling storytelling, this team is uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.' The project will be produced by J.J. Abrams' company, Bad Robot Productions, and Chu's Electric Somewhere. The Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker director has been attached to the adaptation since 2022. Producers are Brenner, Chu, Abrams, and Michael Bostick. It is a production by Mattel Studios and Warner Bros. (Source: Deadline) The post Hot Wheels Movie Finds Acclaimed Director for Live-Action Film appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Geek Tyrant
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Director Jon M. Chu Is Taking HOT WHEELS for a Wild Ride in New Live-Action Film — GeekTyrant
After steering Wicked into box office glory and scoring 10 Oscar nominations along the way, director Jon M. Chu is has just signed on to direct the live-action Hot Wheels movie for Mattel, Warner Bros. Pictures, and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot. The script was written by Creed II and They Cloned Tyrone duo Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, Hot Wheels is being described as an action-packed ride, fueled by sleek cars and adrenaline, with plot details still tightly under wraps. The project marks another major team-up for Chu, Abrams, and Warner Bros., who are also collaborating on Oh, the Places You'll Go! , Bad Robot's first animated theatrical release. In a statement, Mattel Studios' President and Chief Content Officer Robbie Brenner said: 'Jon'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—true eye candy—but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames. Paired with Juel and Tony's compelling storytelling, this team is uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.' Chu echoed that vision, saying: 'Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed – it's about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play. Bringing that spirit to the big screen is an incredible opportunity. 'I'm excited to partner with Mattel Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Bad Robot to create an adventure that honors Hot Wheels' legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.' Warner Bros. and Bad Robot first announced the collaboration back in 2022. Now, with Chu in the driver's seat, the vision is starting to accelerate. J.J. Abrams added: 'We already felt incredibly lucky to collaborate with Mattel on this special film. Having Jon, Juel and Tony come aboard takes our excitement to a whole new level.' Warner Bros. Pictures' President of Development and Production Jesse Ehrman also praised the team: 'Jon is a visionary director and an incredible partner to Warner Bros. We are thrilled to have him join us, along with the talented writing duo of Juel and Tony. With our collaborators at Bad Robot and Mattel Studios, we can't wait to bring Hot Wheels to life on the big screen.' Hot Wheels has been a global juggernaut since its 1968 debut, originally created by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler as a cooler alternative to Matchbox cars. Over the decades, the brand has sold more than eight billion vehicles and crossed into fashion, motorsports, gaming, and beyond. Mattel is also deep into film adaptations from Polly Pocket and Magic 8 Ball to Whac-A-Mole and UNO . The toy box is officially open, and Hot Wheels is gunning it to the front of the line. Source: Deadline
