The wheels are turning again on Mattel Films’ long-awaited Hot Wheels movie.
More than three years since Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel inked a deal to develop the film, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot has come on board to produce the live-action Hot Wheels. According to Mattel, the film now calls for cars, monster trucks, and motorcycles to share the screen for some high-octane adventure.
“As the global leader in car culture, Hot Wheels has been igniting the challenger spirit in auto enthusiasts for generations,” says Mattel Films Executive Producer Robbie Brenner. “Fans of all ages are now in for the ride of their lives with the incredible talent of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot joining us alongside Warner Bros. Pictures to transform Hot Wheels’ legendary IP into a thrilling story for the big screen.”
Mattel has been trying to get Hot Wheels into theaters since 2003, when McG, then fresh off the success of Charlie’s Angels, was slated to direct a version for Sony. Other versions included one from producer Joel Silver (The Matrix) and another from Fast and Furious director Justin Lin. In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter said that writers for the latest incarnation had been hired, but it’s been quiet until now.
Mattel Films Vice President Kevin McKeon and Creative Executive Andrew Scannell are leading Hot Wheels for Mattel while Peter Dodd is leading for Warner Bros. Pictures. Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen will oversee the project for Bad Robot.
“Before Hot Wheels became the global household name it is today, it was the dream of Elliot Handler, who was inventing and building toy cars at home in his Southern California garage,” says Hannah Minghella, president of motion pictures, Bad Robot. “It’s that imagination, passion, and risk-taking spirit that we want to capture in this film.”
Other Mattel Films in development include titles based on American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone. Additionally, Mattel Films is developing the original IP, Christmas Balloon.
