There's a Matchbox Cars Film in the Works Starring John Cena

Barbie, it seems, was just the beginning. Toy brand Mattel has plans to use its iconic Matchbox die-cast toy car line as the subject matter for new live-action movie — and, the brand announced on September 17, WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood actor John Cena has been given the lead role.

As of this story's initial publication, there are no details regarding the plot or a potential release date currently. We do know that the film will be directed by Sam Hargrave, who did the same for Netflix's two Extraction films starring Chris Hemsworth, and written by David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper. The Matchbox movie will be produced by Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger and Mattel Films's Robbie Brenner.

“We look forward to working with our incredible partners at Skydance Media to craft a story for the big screen that evokes the same, imaginative spirit of this beloved Mattel franchise and delights fans of all ages,” said Brenner.

Cena, as many a Road & Track reader likely knows, is a noted car enthusiast. He's gone on record saying his daily driver is a Honda Civic Type R — fitting, as he's the voice of Honda's U.S. advertisements — and expressing his love for manual transmissions. He formerly owned an Ultima Evolution, which hit the auction block earlier this year, and also previously owned a 2017 Ford GT, although he wound up in legal hot water with the Ford Motor Company when he sold it.

In an interview with Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay YouTube channel earlier this year, Cena even admitted to recently driving more than 800 miles around Florida over 18 hours on a whim. " I had one rare day off," he said. "I just drove around the state of Florida just for shits and giggles."

The Matchbox brand was invented in 1953 by automotive enthusiast Jack Odell, whose daughter who was allowed to take a toy to school — but only if it could fit inside of a matchbox. His daughter’s friends at school were enamored with the tiny toy car Odell created, which lead to the creation of the brand that has endured for more than 70 years. Endured and thrived, really; according to Mattel, two Matchbox cars are sold every second of every day across the globe.

Of course, given the success of Mattel's Barbie last year, which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, expectations for the Matchbox movie will be high. Will a movie about toy cars be able to match the success of a movie about toy dolls? We're betting John Cena hopes so.

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