J.J. Abrams‘ production company Bad Robot has signed on to produce a live-action film version of Mattel’s Hot Wheels toy line for Warner Bros. Plot details are under wraps – or more likely do not exist yet – but the press release notes that the film will feature “the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks and motorcycles.”
This project marks one of the first major film titles under Bad Robot’s production deal with Warner Bros., which runs through 2024. Other titles under the deal include alongside Daniel Casey‘s The Pinkerton, Zatanna from Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and an untitled Superman movie from Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Bad Robot film chief Hannah Minghella said in a statement: “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. It’s that imagination, passion, and risk-taking spirit that we want to capture in this film.”
Mattel Films executive producer Robbie Brenner added:
“As the global leader in car culture, Hot Wheels has been igniting the challenger spirit in auto enthusiasts for generations. 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.”
Hot Wheels is the number one selling toy in the world, moving more than 8 billion vehicles. And unlike many other Mattel film projects in the works, there’s at least a plausible avenue to a movie (franchise, as the company no doubt yearns for). Fast cars on a big screen has always had an appeal.
Other toy products Mattel and Warner Bros. are also developing into films include Barbie, which impressively has Margot Robbie starring and Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach penning the script, along with Masters Of The Universe, Polly Pocket, View Master, and UNO.
#Peace.Love.HotWheels
