‘Matchbox’ Movie In The Works At Mattel Films

matchbox
(Mattel)
matchbox
(Mattel)

The tickets will cost a lot more than the cars!

Deadline reports that Mattel and Skydance Pictures are producing a live-action film based on the brand’s Matchbox line.

The movie is set to be helmed by Sam Hargrave, according to those familiar with the deal.

Hargrave directs the Chris Hemsworth “Extraction” franchise, which suggests the Matchbox movie will be an action film.

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Details on the plot are under wraps, however, and the companies involved have not yet publicly announced the production.

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Mattel is coming off a massive hit with last year’s “Barbie” movie, which earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide.

The Custom Camaro was the first Hot Wheels car. (Mattel)

Mattel launched Hot Wheels in 1968 to compete with Matchbox and came to dominate the segment, which led to the acquisition of its rival in 1997.

There is, of course, the possibility that the film will be a Matchbox origin story. The small diecast cars were created by designer Jack Odell in 1953 because his daughter could only bring toys to school that were small enough to fit in a box. Its battle with Hot Wheels had many phases over the years, including the launch of the Matchbox Superfast series in response to the faster-rolling Hot Wheels cars.

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A live-action Hot Wheels film had previously been in the works with Legendary Pictures, but the rights expired and are now with Warner Bros. and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot productions. Several non-theatrical animated Hot Wheels films and shows have been produced.