Hot Wheels Live-Action Movie Set with Jon M Chu as Director

The iconic miniature car brand Hot Wheels, first introduced by Mattel in 1968, is shifting gears toward the big screen with a new live-action adaptation currently in development.

The project will reportedly be directed by Jon M. Chu, best known for Crazy Rich Asians and the upcoming Wicked film. This announcement marks another major move by Mattel to expand its beloved toys into cinematic universes following similar ventures with Barbie and Masters of the Universe.

The screenplay is being developed by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmair, and the production is backed by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot for Warner Bros. This collaboration between established creatives hints at a visually ambitious project with strong narrative potential.

Mattel Studios’ Chief Content Officer expressed enthusiasm over Chu’s involvement, highlighting his talent for building rich, immersive visual worlds. “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,” the statement read. “His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.”

Though specific plot details remain under wraps, the creative lineup suggests that the live-action Hot Wheels film will aim to deliver both spectacle and substance.

A Look Back at Hot Wheels’ Origins and Global Appeal

Hot Wheels began as the brainchild of Elliot Handler, co-founder of Mattel, after he noticed his son’s fascination with Matchbox cars.

Wanting to create something more thrilling and stylized, he designed Hot Wheels as high-performance “hot rod” miniatures. The first models, known as The Original Sweet 16, were released in 1968 and were part of the now-iconic Red Line Series, named for the distinctive red stripe on their tires.

These models quickly captured the imagination of children and collectors alike. The following year, the brand introduced its first original in-house car designs — including Splittin’ Image, Torero, Turbofire, and Twin Mill — under the “Show & Go” collection. With their futuristic shapes and exaggerated features, these designs helped establish Hot Wheels as a market leader in the die-cast toy car industry.

Over the decades, Hot Wheels has expanded its reach well beyond toy shelves. The brand has inspired video games, animated series, and collectibles, securing a lasting place in pop culture. In 2018, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Hot Wheels launched the Legends Tour — a unique campaign featuring live events at Walmart locations across the U.S., where custom car creators compete for the chance to have their real-life vehicle transformed into a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels model. The tour has since become an annual celebration of creativity and automotive enthusiasm.