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Legendary Pictures Starting the Ignition on a 'Hot Wheels' Movie Now

by Ethan Anderton
June 16, 2011
Source: Variety

If robots that transform into cars and vice versa was just a little too complicated for you, then you might like the next toy-to-film adaptation coming down the road. Variety reports Legendary Entertainment (which is actually just the worldwide label for Legendary Pictures) is in the midst of negotiating to snag the rights to Mattel's popular Hot Wheels toy car line. But get this, apparently the idea isn't to make a film that is geared towards kids, but rather producer an edgier film more along the lines of something like the Fast and the Furious franchise. Why not just make that kind of movie without the Hot Wheels brand name?

This is exactly the kind of bullshit deal in Hollywood based around established intellectual property that just pisses me off. Somewhere in Hollywood there is a great script that is full of car chases and action with just the right amount of edge. But that script won't see the light of day because it's not attached to a cash cow like a toy line from Mattel or Hasbro. And if it's just going to be like another installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, then why even bother? I remember when movies used to tell stories rather than just trying to sell toys.

As of now now writers or directors are attached to the project, but with Legendary getting involved, the project will stay at Warner Bros. where it has apparently been stalled since Speed Racer didn't perform too well at the box office. This just sounds like Warner Bros. attempt to capitalize on the merchandising that has helped movies like Transformers and Cars get some green for their respective studios. The question is, which rival studio will try and get a Tonka truck movie off the ground? It could be a some kind of smart thriller like Wall Street about two rival construction companies. Are you listening Hollywood?

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