NEWS

Hot Wheels follows Barbie onto big screen

Published on: 3rd May 2022

Hot on the heels of news about the Barbie movie, Mattel has announced it is bringing another of its brands to the big screen – Hot Wheels.

The brand’s racing cars, monster trucks and motorcycles will be brought to life in the live-action motion picture of Hot Wheels, which Warner Bros. Pictures has announced will be produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot.

“As the global leader in car culture, Hot Wheels has been igniting the challenger spirit in auto enthusiasts for generations,” said Robbie Brenner, executive producer, Mattel Films. “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.”

A 54-year-old brand, Hot Wheels sold over 8b vehicles last year, according to The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service. It has also proved its influence in automotive and pop culture through numerous collaborations with leaders in automotive, streetwear, fashion, luxury, entertainment, gaming, action sports and motorsports.

“Growing up, Hot Wheels were more than just cars, they were vehicles for our imaginations,” said Peter Dodd, vice president of Film Development and Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. “We’re thrilled to bring that imagination to the big screen with Robbie Brenner and the creative team at Mattel along with the ingenious minds of J.J. Abrams, Hannah Minghella and the team at Bad Robot.”

Kevin McKeon, vice president and Andrew Scannell, creative executive will lead the project for Mattel Films, Peter Dodd will lead the project for Warner Bros. Pictures and Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen will oversee for Bad Robot.

Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures are also partners on the upcoming Barbie motion picture, which is targeted for release in July 2023. As well as starring as the world’s most famous doll, Margot Robbie will produce the film under her Lucky Chap Entertainment banner with direction from Greta Gerwig who also wrote the screenplay with her husband Noah Baumbach.

The Mattel Films development slate features movies based on American Girl, 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. Mattel Films is also developing Christmas Balloon, based on all-new IP.

Bad Robot has a slate of film projects in development under its Warner Bros. Discovery deal, including Superman, Zatanna and the animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ iconic children’s book Oh, The Places You’ll Go. Bad Robot is also currently working with director Matt Shakman on a new Star Trek movie for Paramount.

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