Jon M. Chu to Direct ‘Hot Wheels’ Movie Adaptation

J.J. Abrams is aboard to produce the new movie for toy company Mattel and Warner Bros, while Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier are working on the script.

(Left) Jon M. Chu arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Mattel's Hot Wheels logo. Photo: Mattel.

Preview:

Jon M. Chu will direct ‘Hot Wheels’.
It’ll be an action movie based on the toy car brand.
J.J. Abrams is aboard as a producer.

While the idea of movies based on IP is satirized in shows such as ‘The Studio,’ it’s a behemoth that just keeps on rolling.

Warner Bros. has had plans for a film based on the ‘Hot Wheels’ line of toy cars for a few years now, but it has finally hit a new gear as Deadline reports that ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu is now aboard to drive the project.

With J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot team among its producers, this one also comes from ‘Hot Wheels’ home Mattel, which will no doubt be hoping for a ‘Barbie’-level success on another of its products.

Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, a writer-director duo whose credits include script input on ‘Creed II’ and making ‘They Cloned Tyrone’, will be on screenplay duty for the new action movie.

What are Hot Wheels?

Hot Wheels courtesy of Mattel.com.

In case the toy cars have somehow passed you by, here’s a quick primer…

'Hot Wheels' as a brand was conceived in 1968 by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler as a cooler, more performance-oriented alternative to Matchbox cars, which dominated the diecast market at the time. (Mattel went on to acquire that brand four decades after its launch.)

In addition to selling more than 8 billion vehicles worldwide, the brand has proved its influence in automotive and pop culture over the years via collaborations with global leaders in automotive, streetwear, fashion, luxury, entertainment, gaming, action sports and motorsports.

The toys have also spawned a few animated home entertainment movies and series, but Chu’s movie will be the first live-action offering.

As to the story that Taylor and Rettenmaier are cooking up? No details have been revealed beyond the action element and obviously scope for plenty of crazy car action.

While Chu has mostly been focused on musicals and animation of late, he does have action bona fides having directed ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’.

Despite the high profile and crossover appeal of the toys (not to mention the relatively straightforward concept of fast cars that just need a story built around them), outside of animation, ‘Hot Wheels’ has been a real development lemon, with filmmakers including Simon Crane, McG and ‘Fast & Furious’ veteran Justin Lin all trying to sit behind the director’s steering wheel.

Sony and Legendary have both tried to push the pedal to the metal, to no avail, and this isn’t the first crack at the movie for Warner Bros. either, with a previous version produced by Joel Silver that similarly didn’t end up in theaters.

Hot Wheels: the filmmakers speak

(L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.' Photo courtesy of Michael Giacchino's Twitter.

Here’s Chu’s comment on ‘Hot Wheels’:

“Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it’s about imagination, connection and the thrill of play. 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 Wheels’ legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.”

Mattel Studios’ President and Chief Content Officer Brenner had this to say about the new movie:

“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. Paired with Juel and Tony’s compelling storytelling, this team is uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.”

Finally, here’s Abrams:

“We already felt incredibly lucky to collaborate with Mattel on this special film. Having Jon, Juel and Tony come aboard takes our excitement to a whole new level.”

What else is Jon M. Chu working on?

Jon M. Chu accepts the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Chu’s recent output includes ‘Crazy Rich Asians’,‘In the Heights’ and particularly ‘Wicked’, which adapts the successful stage musical.

‘Wicked’ has soared since its release last November, earning more than $756 million worldwide and scoring 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for production and costume design.

The second part of the story, titled ‘Wicked: For Good’ will be in theaters on November 21st, and anticipation is sky high.

Besides the witchy story, Chu is also at work adapting Dr. Seuss story ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go!’ for Warner Bros. Animation (and Bad Robot, so clearly all involved are happy to work together again).

On the development front, he is attached to sci-fi video game adaptation ‘Split Fiction’ (which has Sydney Sweeney planning to star and co-produce), and various other projects, including a long-held dream to make a ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ musical movie, plans for more ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movies (which appear to be transforming into a TV series instead) and a ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ TV show.

When will ‘Hot Wheels’ speed into theaters?

Even with this encouraging new development, Warner Bros. has yet to announce a release date for this one –– which makes sense, given how many projects have been handed slots, only to linger in limbo like a car with a bad battery.