The helmer, whose credits included the first four 'Fast and Furious' film series and 'Star Trek Beyond', will also produce the movie which is based on Mattel's classic toy cars.
- Sep 29, 2016
AceShowbiz - The long-in-development "Hot Wheels" movie has gotten a jump start by hiring filmmaker Justin Lin. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the helmer, whose credits included the first four "Fast and Furious" film series and "Star Trek Beyond", has signed on to direct the feature film based on Mattel's classic toy cars.
Lin will also produce the movie through his production company, Perfect Storm Entertainment, as well as co-finance alongside Legendary Entertainment. Legendary's Alex Garcia will oversee for the company. As the project is still in early development stages, no writer has yet to be attached.
The big-screen take on the Hot Wheels toy cars has actually been in the works for years. Back in 2003, McG ("Supernatural") was attached to direct and produce for Columbia Pictures before it landed at Warner Bros. The news of negotiations between Legendary and Mattel broke in 2011. In 2013, stunt coordinator Simon Crane was hired to helm the project.
"Hot Wheels" is not the first Mattel toyline adapted to the big screen. Aside from a long list of Barbie films, a movie based on the Mattel action figure Max Steel is coming to U.S. theaters on October 14. It stars Ben Winchell, Maria Bello, Ana Villafane, Andy Garcia and Billy Slaughter.
Meanwhile, Justin Lin won't direct "Hot Wheels" in the near future as he still has a lot of movies in developments. The 44-year-old helmer's upcoming projects include "Warrior", "Shaolin Temple", Jeremy Renner's untitled new Bourne movie and LeBron James' "Space Jam 2".
