Hoping to recapture the popularity of the Barbie movie that grossed over $1.44 billion worldwide, toy maker Mattel has announced that Wicked’s Jon M. Chu will direct its upcoming live-action Hot Wheels movie, with Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, whose credits include Creed II and They Cloned Tyrone, writing the script.
The film was first announced over three years ago with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot also producing, but there are still no plot details aside from it being a “high-octane action film” that will feature “some of the world’s hottest and sleekest vehicles.” With Apple’s F1 having taken in over $290 million at the box office in just 10 days, there’s potentially a renewed interest from audiences for movies featuring fast cars — or at least full-sized ones.
Chu is best known for his directorial work on films that include Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and Wicked, which received 10 Oscar nominations and has grossed over $750 million ahead of the sequel hitting theaters on November 21st. “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,” says Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Studios, in a press release from the toy maker today.
Following the success of Barbie, Mattel announced several other film projects based on its most popular toy lines, in addition to Hot Wheels. These include movies based on Polly Pocket, the Masters of the Universe, the Magic 8 Ball, the card game Uno, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, and the American Girl Doll.