Wicked and In the Heights director Jon M. Chu is partnering with Mattel and Warner Bros. to direct the Hot Wheels movie.
Details on Mattel’s next stop in film come from Deadline, which reported the musical moviemaker has signed on to direct an action movie based on the company’s enormous line of collectible toy cars. No release date, cast, or plot details have been announced.
“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 President and Chief Content Officer Robbie Brenner said in a statement shared with Deadline.
“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.”
Creed 2 directing duo Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier will write the Hot Wheels movie’s script. J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Chu’s Electric Somewhere will produce the film, with Brenner producing for Mattel Studios and Arturo Thur de Koós overseeing for the company. While Sheila Walcott and Zach Hamby will oversee the Hot Wheels movie for Warner Bros., Jon Cohen will oversee for Bad Robot with Jane Lee overseeing for Electric Somewhere.
Chu chimed in, too, saying that Hot Wheels is about more than just cool cars that go fast.
“Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it’s about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play,” Chu said. “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.”
Mattel paved the way for more toy-to-movie spinoffs following the monumental success it saw with Barbie in 2023. With the company’s portfolio including everything from Pictionary and Uno to Rock’em Sock’em Robots, more movies based on its other properties felt inevitable. Hot Wheels was announced as the company’s next toy movie just a few months after Barbie premiered, though updates on its progress have been few and far between since.
Although it’s Hot Wheels that will be the first to follow Barbie’s lead, the toy company has more than just fast cars on its mind. Audiences can expect to see movies based on the View-Master and Bob the Builder, too. There’s also the upcoming Masters of the Universe film, which gave fans a good look at Nicholas Galitzine’s He-Man just last month.
For more on the Hot Wheels movie, you can read about how Abrams and Mattel has tried to get an adaptation out of the garage for years, starting with previous directors Simon Crane and Justin Lin.
Image credit Olivia Wong/WireImage.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
