The Mattel cinematic universe has begun thanks to the huge success ofBarbie, and producer and head of Mattel Films, Robbie Brenner, has teased more unique approaches to their beloved toy lines – including (somehow)Hot Wheels. In a recent interview withVariety, Brenner revealed that the upcomingHot Wheelsmovie from producer J.J. Abrams will focus on characters as well as cars, assuring that the adaptation will have “real characters that you can relate to, that are three-dimensional, that have emotional journeys.”
“Look at any J.J. Abrams movie. All of his movies have an incredible story and incredible characters. That was something that was important to him — to make a movie that’s not just going to be fun and exciting, but that has real emotion and real stakes to it.”
Complex characters, emotional journeys, and real stakes are not exactly what we all think of when we think of theHot Wheelsbrand. But the movie adaptation will apparently strive to have all three, with Brenner confident thatStar TrekandStar Wars: The Force Awakensdirector J.J. Abrams can bring the same level of depth that director Greta Gerwig has brought to theBarbiemovie.
This is not the first time that the unexpected story of the toy cars has been teased. Abrams himselfrecently revealed his approachtoHot Wheelssaying, “For a long time, we were talking to Mattel aboutHot Wheels, and we couldn’t quite find the thing that clicked, that made it worthy of whatHot Wheels—that title—deserved. Then we came up with something… emotional and grounded and gritty.”
WillHot Wheelsbe another surprise critical and commercial hit for Mattel? Only time will tell.
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Mattel Is Now Striving to Launch Its Own Cinematic Universe
Because box office success so often breeds franchises, Mattel has taken the financial and critical triumphs of Barbie as a sign that now is the time to launch their Mattel cinematic universe. CEO of Mattel, Ynon Kreiz, recently revealed that plans are now in place to begin work on various sequels and spinoffs off the back ofBarbie, with the studio itself reportedly planning as many as 45 projects, with 14 currently in active development.
“Barbie, as a brand, has many different iterations. The product lines of Barbie is a very broad brand,” Kreiz saidof their intentions for theBarbiefranchise. “In addition to the main Barbie figure, she has family, she has a lot of elements around in her universe. It’s a very rich universe… It’s a very broad and very elastic brand, in terms of opportunities.”
AlongsideBarbieandHot Wheels, Mattel Films is now working on the likes of the “off-kilter”Barneymovie with producer Daniel Kaluuya, aRock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robotsmovie starring Vin Diesel, and aPolly Pocketmovie led by Lily Collins and helmed by Lena Dunham, as well asAmerican Girl,Magic 8 Ball,Masters of the Universe,UNO,Wishbone,Thomas & Friends, and more.
