From Crazy Rich Asians to Wicked, director Jon M. Chu knows how to craft box office gold. And now, he’s strapping in for his next high-speed adventure: a live-action Hot Wheels movie for Warner Bros. and Mattel Studios. Yep, the iconic toy cars you launched off orange plastic ramps as a kid are getting the blockbuster treatment with Chu behind the wheel.
Chu, who’s currently gearing up for the release of Wicked: For Good (out November 21, 2025), has a track record of turning beloved material into fan-favorite films. Crazy Rich Asians wasn’t just a box office smash hit, it became a global phenomenon, grossing over $238 million and revitalizing the rom-com genre. In the Heights brought Broadway to the big screen. And most recently, Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, grossed over $700 million worldwide.
Now, he’s taking on the adrenaline-fueled world of Hot Wheels, partnering with screenwriters Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, whose work includes They Cloned Tyrone and Creed II. The film is being produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, Mattel Studios, and Chu’s own Electric Somewhere, with Abrams, Chu, Robbie Brenner, and Michael Bostick all on board.
While plot details are still under wraps, in an official statement, Chu said, “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.”
Mattel Studios head Robbie Brenner echoed the excitement: “Jon’s films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames.”
This announcement also marks another big swing in Mattel’s cinematic universe, coming off the major success of Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie, which turned a beloved toy into a billion-dollar global sensation. Hot Wheels is aiming to recapture past success, this time with a focus on cars, nostalgia, and high-energy fun.
There’s no release date yet, but Chu’s Hot Wheels adaptation could become one of the biggest blockbuster films in the coming years.
