Jon M. Chu is heading from Oz to overdrive, and this time, he’s bringing Hot Wheels with him.

The acclaimed director behind Wicked: Part One, Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights has officially signed on to direct a live-action Hot Wheels movie for Warner Bros. and Mattel. This marks the latest addition to Mattel’s growing slate of toy-based cinematic adaptations. Chu’s involvement immediately puts the project in high gear.

Details On The Hot Wheels Movie

Details about the plot remain under wraps. However, a press release promises that the film will showcase “some of the world’s hottest and sleekest vehicles.” Chu himself emphasized that Hot Wheels is “about more than speed; it’s about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play.”

Hot Wheels

Joining Chu behind the scenes are writers Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier. Known for their work on Creed II and Netflix’s They Cloned Tyrone. J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Chu’s own company, Electric Somewhere are producing Hot Wheels.

Robbie Brenner, president and chief content officer at Mattel Studios, says the team is “uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.” Brenner praised Chu’s ability to craft “visual spectacles” that also deliver “unforgettable narratives.”

Will Hot Wheels Follow In Barbie’s Success?

Margot Robbie in Barbie

This project follows the phenomenal success of Barbie, which grossed $1.44 billion globally. With that blockbuster blueprint, Mattel is rapidly expanding its movie ambitions. The company is currently developing films based on Barney, Polly Pocket, Uno, and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

Chu, meanwhile, has a jam-packed slate of projects. In addition to the Hot Wheels movie, he’s also attached to an animated Play-Doh adventure, a Britney Spears biopic, a Dr. Seuss adaptation (Oh, the Places You’ll Go), and a musical film version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Given Chu’s track record with Warner Bros. and his knack for combining visual flair with emotional storytelling. This could be the perfect mix of speed, spectacle, and substance to launch Hot Wheels as the next toy-to-film hit.

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Source: Variety

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