Apple Original Films sets new live-action feature “Matchbox,” starring John Cena and based on Mattel’s iconic toy vehicle line
WEBWIRE – Friday, September 20, 2024
- Apple Original Films today announced it has landed “Matchbox” a new, live-action feature film from Skydance and Mattel Films that will be directed by Sam Hargrave (“Extraction,” "Extraction II") with John Cena (“Jackpot!,” “Ricky Stanicky”) set for the lead role, and based on a screenplay by David Coggeshall ("The Family Plan" "Orphan: First Kill") and Jonathan Tropper (upcoming “Your Friends and Neighbors,” "The Adam Project" “Warrior" “See”).
- “Matchbox” will be inspired by Mattel’s iconic real-world die-cast toy vehicle line of the same name. The legendary Matchbox brand was invented in 1953 by automotive enthusiast Jack Odell to solve a challenge for his daughter, who was allowed to take a toy to school only if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox. When his daughter’s school friends too began clamouring for a “matchbox car,” an iconic brand was born. The high standards of authenticity for Matchbox die-cast cars have driven the brand for over 70 years and generations of fans. Today, two Matchbox cars are sold every second somewhere around the world.
- The film will be produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger for Skydance, and Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.
- “Matchbox” joins upcoming Apple Original Films produced by Skydance Media including the high-action, genre-bending film “The Gorge” starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy; “Fountain of Youth,” the upcoming star-studded feature from Guy Richtie starring Natalie Portman and John Krasinksi; action-adventure film “May Day” with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh set to star in the lead roles; and, “Way of the Warrior Kid,” the inspiring new film directed by McG and starring and produced by Chris Pratt. Apple Original Films and Skydance also recently partnered with writer Coggeshall on “The Family Plan,” the global hit action-comedy feature starring Academy Award-nominee Mark Wahlberg.
- Coming off the hugely successful Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Skydance’s live-action film slate includes Heart of Stone, Spy Kids: Armageddon and The Old Guard 2 for Netflix as well as The Family Plan, The Gorge, Fountain of Youth, May Day, and Way of the Warrior Kid for Apple Original Films and Mission: Impossible 8.
- Mattel Film’s vision is to collaborate with leading filmmakers to make standout quality movies based on our iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences.
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