Jon M. Chu, the celebrated director known for his groundbreaking work on films like Crazy Rich Asians and the two-part musical epic Wicked, has officially signed on to direct a live-action Hot Wheels movie. This high-octane project is a collaboration between Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures, and it promises to showcase “some of the world’s hottest and sleekest vehicles.”
Chu’s involvement comes after his recent massive success with Wicked, which garnered 10 Oscar nominations and a global box office exceeding $756 million (with the second part, Wicked: For Good, hitting cinemas this November). This puts him in a prime position to bring a unique blend of visual flair and emotional depth to the Hot Wheels universe.
While specific plot details for the Hot Wheels film are currently under wraps, Mattel Studios’ President and Chief Content Officer, Robbie Brenner, expressed high confidence in Chu’s ability to steer the project. “Jon’s ability to create rich, elaborate worlds with a distinct point of view makes him the ideal storyteller to bring Hot Wheels to life,” Brenner stated. “His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.”
The screenplay is being penned by Juel Taylor & Tony Rettenmaier, the dynamic writer-director duo behind hits like Creed II and Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone. J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Chu’s own Electric Somewhere production companies are set to produce the film, creating a powerful team behind this adaptation. Brenner added that this team is “uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.”
Mattel’s Cinematic Expansion
The Hot Wheels movie is the latest in a series of live-action adaptations Mattel is developing based on its iconic toy lines, following the massive success of Barbie, which captured the zeitgeist and grossed a colossal $1.44 billion worldwide. Other Mattel properties currently in the works for big-screen versions include Barney, Polly Pocket, the card game Uno, and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.
This project also reunites Chu with Warner Bros. and Bad Robot, as they are currently working together on Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, an adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story, which marks Bad Robot’s first theatrical animated feature. Chu has a strong history with Warner Bros., having directed Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights for the studio.
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With Chu at the helm and a strong creative team, the Hot Wheels movie is poised to deliver an adventure that honors the toy’s legacy while taking it somewhere entirely new.
