(Left) Jon M. Chu arrives on the purple carpet of the 97th Oscars® on the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit score/Supplier: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Proper) Mattel’s Scorching Wheels brand. Picture: Mattel.
Preview:
- Jon M. Chu will direct ‘Scorching Wheels’.
- It’ll be an motion film based mostly on the toy automotive model.
- J.J. Abrams is aboard as a producer.
Whereas the concept of flicks based mostly on IP is satirized in reveals equivalent to ‘The Studio,’ it’s a behemoth that simply retains on rolling.
Warner Bros. has had plans for a movie based mostly on the ‘Scorching Wheels’ line of toy vehicles for a couple of years now, but it surely has lastly hit a brand new gear as Deadline stories that ‘Depraved’ director Jon M. Chu is now aboard to drive the venture.
With J.J. Abrams and his Unhealthy Robotic group amongst its producers, this one additionally comes from ‘Scorching Wheels’ dwelling Mattel, which can little question be hoping for a ‘Barbie’-level success on one other of its merchandise.
Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, a writer-director duo whose credit embody script enter on ‘Creed II’ and making ‘They Cloned Tyrone’, shall be on screenplay responsibility for the brand new motion film.
Associated Article: J.J. Abrams is Driving Growth of a ‘Scorching Wheels’ Film
What are Scorching Wheels?
Scorching Wheels courtesy of Mattel.com.
In case the toy vehicles have one way or the other handed you by, right here’s a fast primer…
‘Scorching Wheels’ as a model was conceived in 1968 by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler as a cooler, extra performance-oriented different to Matchbox vehicles, which dominated the diecast market on the time. (Mattel went on to accumulate that model 4 a long time after its launch.)
Along with promoting greater than 8 billion autos worldwide, the model has proved its affect in automotive and popular culture over time by way of collaborations with international leaders in automotive, streetwear, style, luxurious, leisure, gaming, motion sports activities and motorsports.
The toys have additionally spawned a couple of animated dwelling leisure films and collection, however Chu’s film would be the first live-action providing.
As to the story that Taylor and Rettenmaier are cooking up? No particulars have been revealed past the motion aspect and clearly scope for loads of loopy automotive motion.
Whereas Chu has principally been targeted on musicals and animation of late, he does have motion bona fides having directed ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’.
Regardless of the excessive profile and crossover attraction of the toys (to not point out the comparatively simple idea of quick vehicles that simply want a narrative constructed round them), outdoors of animation, ‘Scorching Wheels’ has been an actual improvement lemon, with filmmakers together with Simon Crane, McG and ‘Quick & Livid’ veteran Justin Lin all attempting to take a seat behind the director’s steering wheel.
Sony and Legendary have each tried to push the pedal to the metallic, to no avail, and this isn’t the primary crack on the film for Warner Bros. both, with a earlier model produced by Joel Silver that equally didn’t find yourself in theaters.
Scorching Wheels: the filmmakers converse
(L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Picture courtesy of Michael Giacchino’s Twitter.
Right here’s Chu’s touch upon ‘Scorching Wheels’:
“Scorching Wheels has all the time been about greater than pace — it’s about creativeness, connection and the fun of play. Bringing that spirit to the massive display is an unbelievable alternative. I’m excited to associate with Mattel Studios, Warner Bros. Footage, and Unhealthy Robotic to create an journey that honors ‘Scorching Wheels’ legacy whereas driving it someplace completely new.”
Mattel Studios’ President and Chief Content material Officer Brenner had this to say in regards to the new film:
“Jon’s potential to craft wealthy, elaborate worlds with a definite perspective makes him the best storyteller to carry ‘Scorching Wheels’ to life. His movies are visible spectacles — true eye sweet — however what units them aside is how he weaves unforgettable narratives inside these beautiful frames. Paired with Juel and Tony’s compelling storytelling, this group is uniquely positioned to seize the guts, adrenaline, and spirit of Scorching Wheels, a number one model in automotive tradition.”
Lastly, right here’s Abrams:
“We already felt extremely fortunate to collaborate with Mattel on this particular movie. Having Jon, Juel and Tony come aboard takes our pleasure to a complete new stage.”
What else is Jon M. Chu engaged on?
Jon M. Chu accepts the award for Cinematic and Field Workplace Achievement on the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing reside 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+. Picture: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chu’s current output contains ‘Loopy Wealthy Asians’,‘Within the Heights’ and significantly ‘Depraved’, which adapts the profitable stage musical.
‘Depraved’ has soared since its launch final November, incomes greater than $756 million worldwide and scoring 10 Oscar nominations, profitable two for manufacturing and costume design.
The second a part of the story, titled ‘Depraved: For Good’ shall be in theaters on November twenty first, and anticipation is sky excessive.
Moreover the witchy story, Chu can also be at work adapting Dr. Seuss story ‘Oh, The Locations You’ll Go!’ for Warner Bros. Animation (and Unhealthy Robotic, so clearly all concerned are completely happy to work collectively once more).
On the event entrance, he’s connected to sci-fi online game adaptation ‘Cut up Fiction’ (which has Sydney Sweeney planning to star and co-produce), and varied different tasks, together with a long-held dream to make a ‘Joseph and the Wonderful Technicolor Dreamcoat’ musical film, plans for extra ‘Loopy Wealthy Asians’ films (which seem like remodeling right into a TV collection as a substitute) and a ‘Swiss Household Robinson’ TV present.
When will ‘Scorching Wheels’ pace into theaters?
Even with this encouraging new improvement, Warner Bros. has but to announce a launch date for this one –– which is sensible, given what number of tasks have been handed slots, solely to linger in limbo like a automotive with a nasty battery.
‘Depraved’ director Jon M. Chu.