Following the huge success of Barbie, Mattel Films is making a movie based on its line of Matchbox toy cars, and now a director has come aboard.
Sam Hargrave, who directed Netflix’s Extraction movies starring Chris Hemsworth, has inked a deal to make the Matchbox movie, according to Deadline. Skydance and Mattel Films are producing the movie together.
There are no plot details available as of yet for the Matchbox movie. But Hargrave’s hiring might suggest the film could go big on stunts and action set pieces, given Hargrave is a former stuntman himself who applied his skills to the Extraction series.
Hargrave is also directing the pilot of the upcoming Apple TV+ drama The Last Frontier and is attached to make the action movie Stay Frosty for Warner Bros.
David Coggeshall (The Family Plan) and Jonathan Tropper (This Is Where I Leave You) are writing the screenplay for the Matchbox movie. There is no word yet on a release date or a cast for the film.
In addition to the Matchbox movie, there are numerous other films based on Mattel properties at various stages of development. These include Bob the Builder, Barney, Uno, and Hot Wheels.
As for Barbie, the movie was 2023’s highest-grossing film, earning $1.44 billion globally. Given the huge success of the movie, many are wondering about a sequel. It’s possible, but not guaranteed.
