Latest in Mattel Films

J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot will produce a live-action Hot Wheels film in the works at Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures, the companies announced today. Hot Wheels is Mattel’s 54-year-old brand of toy cars, which is billed as the world’s leading vehicle franchise, representing and uniting all segments of car culture…

EXCLUSIVE:  Marcy Kelly has signed on to partner with Mattel Films to write across their upcoming film slate. Kelly has worked with Mattel Films on several projects, including a feature film script based on the #1 card game property UNO. She adapted cult favorite Mean Girls into a branching narrative video game for…

Mattel is developing the live-action family drama Christmas Balloon, which will be written by Gabriela Revilla Lugo (A Million Little Things) based off a true story. The film follows a young girl, Dáyami, living in a Mexican border town who tries to send her Christmas list to Santa tied to a balloon. The balloon is…

The Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie is becoming a reality. Mattel Films, Universal and Vin Diesel are teaming for a live-action feature take on the classic tabletop boxing-robots game. Diesel will star in the movie and produce with his One Race Films label and partner Samantha Vincent. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots was…

Thomas the Tank Engine is making a return to the big screen in a new feature being developed by Mattel Films and Marc Forster’s production company 2Dux². The new project, to be co-produced and directed by the World War Z and Quantum of Solace filmmaker, will be a mix of live-action and animation based on the popuar…

Universal Pictures and Mattel Films are in the works on Wishbone based on the PBS TV series from the 1990s about the iconic Jack Russell terrier. Green Book Oscar-winning producer Peter Farrelly is producing the live-action feature alongside Mattel Films. The family film project reps the first theatrical collaboration…

Mattel announced it is teaming with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya’s production company 59%, and Valparaiso Pictures to develop a live-action motion picture based on Barney, Mattel's Jurassic Era lovable purple dinosaur. Mattel Films will co-produce Barney alongside Academy Award-nominee Get Out and Black Panther star…

Sony Pictures and Mattel Films have set a March 5, 2021, release date for Masters of the Universe, the latest film adaptation of a Mattel toy line. The film originally had been slated for Christmastime this year. Noah Centineo is set to play He-Man in the live-action Columbia Pictures movie based on the 1980s action…

Noah Centineo, who gained wide recognition for his roles in Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Freeform’s The Fosters, is in talks to take on the lead role of He-Man in Masters of the Universe, the film adaptation Mattel Films is developing with Sony Pictures. It’s based on the bestselling toy line…

Writers Art Marcum & Matt Holloway are in final talks to write the new draft of Masters of the Universe, which Adam Aaron Nee will direct. Pic is based on the bestselling He-Man toyline from the 1980s that  spawned an animated TV show and a 1987 feature from Cannon Films starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man; back in the…

EXCLUSIVE: Mattel Films has hired Kevin McKeon as Supervising Producer and he’ll report to Robbie Brenner who was recently hired as the label’s Executive Producer and Head. McKeon will shepherd the development of feature film content for Mattel's brands and other related creative content, and supervise during the…

Mattel, the popular toy company behind such brands as Barbie, Masters of the Universe, Hot Wheels and Thomas and Friends, is launching Mattel Films, a new division focused on developing and producing motion pictures based on the brand’s iconic franchises. Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner has been appointed to…