HOT WHEELS ARE HEADING FOR HOLLYWOOD
GENERATIONS have played with them as children — myself included. And some enthusiastic adults still collect them.
Now ‘Hot Wheels’ toy cars are to star in a major Hollywood movie.
Hollywood director and mogul J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot production company — who rebooted both Star Trek and Star Wars — will produce Hot Wheels, a film featuring lifesized versions of the iconic toy racing cars.
Organisers said the high-throttle action film will bring to life this beloved, multi-generational franchise and showcase some of the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks and motorcycles.
More than eight billion Hot Wheels have been sold in 54 years. The original cars were created in 1968 by inventor Elliot Handler — co-founder of toy giant Mattel — who found his son Kenneth playing with British Matchbox cars and decided to create a sportier line.
His Hot Wheels, developed in his garage in Southern California, were more like customised ‘hot rods’. The first line, known as the ‘Sweet 16’, was created in 1968 and engineered with super-slick wheels to go extra fast.
Peter Dodd, of Warner Bros Pictures said: ‘Growing up, Hot Wheels were more than just cars, they were vehicles for our imaginations.’
Robbie Brenner, of Mattel Films, said: ‘Fans of all ages are now in for the ride of their lives with the incredible talent of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot joining us . . . to transform Hot Wheels into a thrilling story for the big screen.’
Founded in 1945, other Mattel toy brands include Barbie, Thomas the Tank Engine and Masters of the Universe.