It’s been nearly 50 years since Mattel’s popular die-cast toy line property, Hot Wheels launched and became the epicenter of car models for many a collector and manfacturer. In turn, it’s been thirteen years since a film adaptation had been in the works at Colombia Pictures and then Warner Bros before gaining progress at Legendary Pictures five years ago.
That decision was influenced in large part by the success of director Justin Lin’s Fast Five at the time, and no less to the tune of $621 million dollars. Thus, it’s reasonable that after sifting through names of possible suitors to helm the film that the studio would ultimately go with Lin, and so it is, according to a new report at Variety.
Lin will develop and produce the film through his Perfect Storm Banner for release through Universal Pictures, and with the option to co-finance the picture. A writer is still in search as are the usual casting announcements which will ensue thereafter.
Prior to scoring $336.5 million dollars at the box office with the recent release of Star Trek: Beyond, Lin’s earnings for Fast Five are just a small portion of what he brought to Universal, summing up to well more than $1.9 billion dollars between four out of the current seven-film series of The Fast And The Furious franchise. Moreover, Lin’s ability to capture some of the most exciting car chases and automotive set pieces has done wonders for the studio, as well as moviegoers, and so there no question that Legendary and Universal made the right choice to head a live-action property such as this.
That said, Lin has also in the running to possibly help finish out the remainder of the Fast saga led by star and producer Vin Diesel, although that isn’t known to be a sure thing. The multifaceted filmmaker also has his hands on prospects at Cinemax for the new Bruce Lee-inspired martial arts crime drama series, Warrior, and, as of 2014, a remake of the Jet Li kung fu classic, Shaolin Temple, just to name a few.
Where Hot Wheels will fit in between these projects remains to be seen, but it looks pretty solid so far and a film like this feels like the right kind of property to finally hit the big screen.
Stay tuned!