- Actor and wrestler has been confirmed to star in the movie based on the best selling toy line
- Director and scriptwriters are on board but the plot is being kept under wraps for now
- Die-cast model car maker Matchbox has been a fixture in toy stores since 1953
With movies based on toy lines now all the rage, a live-action film based on the Matchbox toy car line is in development, with John Cena signed on to star.
You can see him
Cena has experience of driving cars in films, having appeared in the Fast & Furious franchise, so the casting makes sense.
Cena should have more time to focus on his acting soon, as he is bringing the curtain down on his wrestling career next year. Cena announced at Money in the Bank in July that he plans to quit the ring, but not before he takes part in the 2025 editions of Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.
Apple Original Films is developing the project and has Sam Hargrave – who directed the Extraction films – on board to helm the movie. In addition, David Coggeshall (best known for writing The Family Plan) and Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project) are writing the script.
However, while we know about who is behind the film, we know little about what will be in the film. Plot details are under wraps currently.
Favorite for generations
Matchbox has been a favorite of children ever since 1953 and is famous for its range of die-cast models, which are usually based on production models. Its major rival for many years has been Hot Wheels, which usually produces more outlandish models. Matchbox was acquired by Mattel – which also owns Hot Wheels – in 1997.
Mattel will be hoping to have similar success with the Matchbox movie as they did with last year’s Barbie film, which grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office.
