Jon M. Chu to direct live-action Hot Wheels film

Jon M. Chu is getting into the fast lane. 

The Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians director has teamed up with Mattel and Warner Bros. to direct and produce a live-action film based on one of the toy company’s most beloved franchises: Hot Wheels. Writing partners Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier (Creed II, They Cloned Tyrone) are also attached to pen the film’s script, with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions serving as a producer on the project.

“Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it’s about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play,” Chu said in a press release. “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.”

In her own statement, President of Mattel Studios and Chief Content Officer Robbie Brenner praised Chu as the “ideal storyteller to bring Hot Wheels to life” onscreen. 

“His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames,” she said. “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.”

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The high-octane action film is set to bring some of Hot Wheels’ most beloved cars to the big screen in all of their sleek, shiny, and speedy glory. It is the latest Mattel franchise to get the movie treatment after the success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie — Barney film written by Ayo Edebiri has also been greenlit, as well as a Masters of the Universe film starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man. 

Abrams and President of Development and Production at Warner Bros. Pictures Jesse Ehrman also celebrated Chu, Rettenmaier, and Taylor getting behind the wheel of the project in the release.

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

Ehrman added, “Jon is a visionary director and an incredible partner to Warner Bros. We are thrilled to have him join us, along with the talented writing duo of Juel and Tony. With our collaborators at Bad Robot and Mattel Studios, we can’t wait to bring Hot Wheels to life on the big screen.”

Chu is currently celebrating his own blockbuster year following the success of the first installment of his Wicked duology, with the second — titled Wicked: For Good — slated to sing and dance its way into theaters on Nov. 21, 2025.