Jon M. Chu to direct Hot Wheels movie: Can Mattel’s ‘Barbie’ follow-up race all the way to the Oscars?

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways

Jon M. Chu is bringing his Oscar pedigree to the toy racetrack.

As Barbie proved under Greta Gerwig's direction, Mattel’s iconic toys can be reimagined into both box-office hits and awards contenders. Barbie earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide. Now, Mattel is hoping to replicate that success — this time with its popular toy cars and a new film.

More from Gold Derby

Jack Black, Rihanna, and Sabrina Carpenter score big at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: See all the winners

Paul Tazewell makes awards history again, becomes only 2nd costume designer to win Oscar and Tony in same year

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R16ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R26ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Cho's Wicked earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, will hit theaters Nov. 21. Although Chu was not nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, he did receive the honor at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the National Board of Review.

The Hot Wheels script will come from screenwriters Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, known for their work on Creed II and They Cloned Tyrone. The film will be produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Chu’s Electric Somewhere, in collaboration with Mattel Films.

“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,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Studios and chief content officer. “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.”

Chu’s work on 2018's Crazy Rich Asians broke new ground in Hollywood, becoming the first major studio film in 25 years to feature a majority Asian cast and earning critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including a SAG Awards Best Ensemble nod.

AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2bekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe

Chu said of the upcoming project: “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.”

With Hot Wheels, Chu enters another pop-cultural arena, and if history — and recent awards trends — are any indication, the race could be more than just box office. It could lead all the way to the Oscars.

Best of Gold Derby

Everything to know about 'The Batman 2': Returning cast, script finalized

Tom Cruise movies: 17 greatest films ranked worst to best

'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics (‘Heathers,’ ‘True Romance’) to TV hits (‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘Dexter: Original Sin’)

Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.