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.
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.
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.
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