Before a Barbie sequel happens–if it ever does–Warner Bros. Discovery and Mattel seem set on creating a track for a Hot Wheels movie to come beforehand. Reportedly the studio is already trying to get a director behind the wheel for the project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hot Wheels doesn’t have a script yet. But that’s not stopping Warner Bros. from searching for a director, since they’re not on strike like writers and actors. J.J. Abrams’ company Bad Robot is producing the film based on the toy cars from Mattel.
Barbie hit $1 billion at the global box office this past weekend, becoming the highest-grossing movie directed by a woman (Greta Gerwig) in the process. Previously, Patty Jenkins held that record for Wonder Woman in 2017.
In addition, Barbie’s box office triumph has set the stage for a Mattel cinematic universe, with a host of other projects along with Hot Wheels from the toy company in the works. For instance, Lena Dunham is attached to helm a Polly Pocket movie. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Nope) is set to star in a live-action Barney film.
As for a Barbie 2, none of the stars–like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling–nor Gerwig reportedly signed contracts with sequel options. Add on the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and Warner Bros. can’t work with them on signing new deals currently either.
