By Gavin Boyle
Warner Bros. selected CRAZY RICH ASIANS and WICKED director Jon M. Chu to head the upcoming Hot Wheels movie the studio will create for Mattel.
“Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it’s about imagination, connection and the thrill of play,” Chu said about his involvement in the project. “Bringing that spirit to the big screen is an incredible opportunity. I’m excited to partner with Mattel Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures and Bad Robot to create an adventure that honors Hot Wheel’s legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.”
“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,” added the president of Mattel Studios and chief content officer Robbie Brenner. “His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.”
Though he is best known for directing CRAZY RICH ASIANS and WICKED, Chu has recently become familiar with the children’s genre as the co-director of a movie adaptation of Dr. Suess’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” which will release in 2028.
Related: WICKED Director Dishes on Working With Top Talent: ‘Inspires People’
Meanwhile, the Hot Wheels movie is just one of many projects Mattel has launched in the entertainment industry since the breakout success of BARBIE in 2023. The company is currently working on bringing Polly Pocket, Barnie, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, Viewmaster, American Girl and Wishbone to screens in some way. Furthermore, Mattel and Warner Bros. have further cemented a deep partnership as Mattel has received the exclusive distribution rights to all DC merch just as a new DC Universe launches with SUPERMAN.
“It is an incredibly proud milestone to weclome DC back to Mattel,” added Nick Karamanos, the senior vice president of Entertainment Partnerships at Mattel. “We look forward to leveraging our Mattel Playbook approach to brand management, product design, and innovation to bring DC’s popular characters to life across all channels. This renewed partnership will reflect our shared passion for engaging and inspiring fans and collectors of all ages.”
While Warner Bros. and Mattel have kept the plot of the Hot Wheels movie under wraps, those excited about the project have a lot to look forward to with Chu at the helm. Though the movie could still turn south if it promotes that same agenda present throughout BARBIE, the quality of the movie is likely to be extremely high with multiple world-class filmmakers now attached.
Read Next: Mattel Announces New Polly Pocket Movie Along with Other Family-Friendly Projects
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