Warner Bros. has chosen Jon M. Chu to take the helm of the highly anticipated Hot Wheels film

Jon M. Chu will soon return for the second chapter of his hit musical Wicked, but that doesn't mean he is done with overseeing a big-screen spectacle. The filmmaker is stepping in as the director of the Hot Wheels live-action movie with Warner Bros. (per Deadline). Upon the announcement, he shared the following statement,

“Hot Wheels has always been about more than speed — it’s about imagination, connection, and the thrill of play. Bringing that spirit to the big screen is an incredible opportunity. I’m excited to partner with Mattel Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Bad Robot to create an adventure that honors Hot Wheels’ legacy while driving it somewhere entirely new.”

After the resounding success of Greta Gerwig's Barbie, the Hot Wheels movie is Mattel's latest effort to bring their popular line of children's toys to the big screen. The wheels have already started turning for live-action projects at the studio based on Polly Pocket, Whac-A-Mole, and View-Master, among other products.

Jon M. Chu's upcoming directorial, considered to be a high-octane action film, is part of the same efforts. It will be inspired by Mattel’s bestselling die-cast toy car line. Tony Rettenmaier and Juel Taylor (They Cloned Tyrone, Creed II) are reportedly writing the screenplay. J.J. Abrams is producing the project through his Bad Robot banner along with Electric Somewhere, Warner Bros., and Mattel.

Hot Wheels will be the latest collaboration between Jon M. Chu and Warner Bros.

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Since the success of Wicked (2024) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Jon M. Chu's roster has been filled with projects. One of them is the animated movie adaptation of Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You’ll Go! for Warner Bros. and Bad Robot. So, the Hot Wheels movie is Chu's latest collaboration with both studios. So, upon announcing Chu's involvement with the project, Jesse Ehrman from Warner Bros. Pictures said,

“Jon is a visionary director and an incredible partner to Warner Bros. We are thrilled to have him join us, along with the talented writing duo of Juel and Tony. With our collaborators at Bad Robot and Mattel Studios, we can’t wait to bring Hot Wheels to life on the big screen.”

J. J. Abrams from Bad Robot added,

“We already felt incredibly lucky to collaborate with Mattel on this special film. Having Jon, Juel, and Tony come aboard takes our excitement to a whole new level.”

Mattel Studios' Robbie Renner also shared her confidence in Jon M. Chu's creative vision with the following statement.

“Jon’s ability to craft rich, elaborate worlds with a distinct point of view makes him the ideal storyteller to bring Hot Wheels to life. His films are visual spectacles — true eye candy — but what sets them apart is how he weaves unforgettable narratives within those stunning frames. Paired with Juel and Tony’s compelling storytelling, this team is uniquely positioned to capture the heart, adrenaline, and spirit of Hot Wheels, a leading brand in car culture.”

According to Deadline, Michael Bostic, with Arturo Thur de Koós, will oversee the project for Mattel Studios, while Zach Hamby and Sheila Walcott will oversee it for Warner Bros. Pictures. Jane Lee will do the same for Electric Somewhere, and Jon Cohen for Bad Robot.