EntertainmentMattel gears up for Matchbox movie after 'Barbie' box office boom

Mattel gears up for Matchbox movie after 'Barbie' box office boom

"Barbie" emerged as the previous year's most sensational movie hit. Its notable achievement has propelled Mattel Films, one of "Barbie's" co-producers and the cinematic wing of Mattel—the company behind the world's most famous doll—into pursuing more projects based on their beloved franchises. They've now set their sights on the Matchbox series of toy cars for their next film endeavor.

"Barbie" was the biggest hit of last year.

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9:05 AM EDT, May 8, 2024

Directed by Greta Gerwig, "Barbie" transcended being merely a cinematic event to become a pop culture phenomenon. The film not only garnered positive critiques but also astonished with a box office haul of $1.46 billion. Its somewhat subversive script skillfully wove feminist narratives into the mainstream, sparking extensive discussions across various media platforms. A blockbuster engaging in such deep societal commentary is a rarity.

With "Barbie's" overwhelming success lighting the way, Mattel Films is now diving into the world of Matchbox, the beloved toy vehicle series. The upcoming film about these iconic cars will be directed by Sam Hargrave, known for the "Tyler Rake" series on Netflix. The screenplay comes from the pens of David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper, who have previously collaborated on "The Birth of Evil." Production will be overseen by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger of Skydance, who will be working alongside Robbie Brenner from Mattel Films. Aimee Rivera will handle the project coordination from Skydance Elizabeth Bassin and Andrew Scannell from Mattel Films.

Details about the plot remain under wraps, but expectations are set for an action-packed movie with spectacular stunt work.

Matchbox - The iconic toy brand

A brief history lesson on Matchbox reminds us that it all began in 1953. British entrepreneur Jack Odell, co-founder of the Lesney company, launched the brand to fulfill his daughter's wish for a toy small enough to fit inside a matchbox. The resultant tiny road roller model was an instant hit at school, spurring the creation of the iconic series 1-75, which saw Lesney's meticulously crafted miniatures packaged in boxes reminiscent of matchboxes. Mattel's acquisition of Matchbox in 1997 only furthered the brand's legacy, with Matchbox cars now being purchased at a staggering rate of two per second worldwide.