Bad Robot is about to dive headfirst into toys as the studio looks to bring to life one of the most popular toys ever as reports say that J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot will join Mattel Films and Warner Bros Pictures for a film based on Hot Wheels.
Hot Wheels was launched in 1968, setting up a long rivalry with scale car competitor Matchbox. Hot Wheels would eventually see Matchbox crumble as Mattel bought Tyco Toys, the former owner of Matchbox, in 1997.
While little is known about the plot, the official description reads: “The high-throttle action film will bring to life this beloved, multi-generational franchise and showcase some of the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks, and motorcycles.”
Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell are heading the project for Mattel Films. They are joined by Warner Bros. Pictures’ Peter Dodd, Hannah Minghella & Jon Cohen from Bad Robot.
President of motion pictures at Bad Robot, Hannah Minghella, noted that: “Before Hot Wheels became the global household name it is today, it was the dream of Elliot Handler, who was inventing and building toy cars at home in his Southern California garage. It’s that imagination, passion, and risk-taking spirit that we want to capture in this film.”