Fresh off the success of Wicked, director Jon M. Chu is already working on his next high-profile project: a live-action Hot Wheels movie. Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel announced the collaboration this week, with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Chu’s own Electric Somewhere producing.

Writers Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, best known for They Cloned Tyrone and Creed II, will handle the script. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is described as an action-driven feature inspired by the legendary toy car line, known for its sleek designs and deep roots in pop and automotive culture.

Chu’s partnership with Warner Bros. builds on a long-running relationship that includes Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and the two-part adaptation of Wicked. His films often balance visual ambition with emotional depth, making him a consistent collaborator on projects that blend entertainment with cultural resonance.

The Hot Wheels film has been in development since at least 2022, when Bad Robot first announced a partnership with Mattel and Warner Bros. to adapt the brand into a theatrical franchise. A household name since its launch in 1968, has sold more than 8 billion toy vehicles and partnered with major names across industries, including entertainment, motorsports, and fashion.

Chu’s upcoming projects include Wicked: For Good, set for release this November; Split Fiction for Amazon MGM Studios; and Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, an animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book, slated for 2028.

In a statement from Mattel, Chu said Hot Wheels represents more than speed, calling it “about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play.” Mattel Studios President Robbie Brenner praised Chu’s visual style and world-building, describing him as the ideal choice to bring the brand to life on screen.

The film joins a growing slate of Mattel properties in development, including adaptations of Polly Pocket, Magic 8 BallView-MasterRock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, and American Girl.