Mattel Studios and Warner Bros. have officially greenlit a live-action Hot Wheels movie, tapping acclaimed director Jon M. Chu—known for Crazy Rich Asians and the blockbuster Wicked franchise—to bring the iconic toy cars to the big screen.
Jon M. Chu will direct and, along with his Electric Somewhere banner, co-produce the film alongside JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot. JJ Abrams, Robbie Brenner (President of Mattel Studios), and Chu himself are leading the creative charge.
Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, praised for Creed II and They Cloned Tyrone, have been hired to pen the script.
What We Know So Far
The adaptation will be a “high-octane action” feature spotlighting sleek, high-performance Hot Wheels vehicles and adrenaline-fueled set pieces.
Chu emphasizes the emotional core of the franchise: “Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed – it’s about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play.”
Currently in pre-production—final script, casting, and schedule are still being refined.
Why Chu?
Jon M. Chu brings a signature flair for visually stunning storytelling, seamlessly blending spectacle with character-driven narratives—qualities that Mattel Studios president Robbie Brenner praised when announcing the project. Following the smash success of Barbie (2023) and the Wicked films, Mattel and Warner Bros. are betting big on Chu’s ability to launch Hot Wheels into cinematic stardom
