‘Matchbox’ Trailer: John Cena Stars in Toy Car Action Movie From Apple TV

Mattel’s iconic toy cars are making their big screen debut in Apple Original Films’ “Matchbox,” which released its first action-packed trailer starring John Cena.

The Sam Hargrave-directed film was adapted from the famous die-cast toy vehicle line. “Matchbox” will follow “a group of childhood friends who must work together to stop an impending worldwide disaster and rediscover their friendship along the way,” per the official logline. 

Cena stars as Sean Walker, an apparent super agent and automobile expert. In the trailer, we see Sean catching up with old friends in a bar when suddenly they begin feeling woozy. Sean then warns his pals, “Everybody listen, we’re all gonna wake up someplace different.” The group then finds itself held prisoner on a cargo jet. Sean, who is tied by his hands to the roof, is interrogated by a thuggish baddie, who asks him, “Where is the nuclear warhead, Walker?”

Jessica Biel and Sam Richardson are also set to star, as are Teyonah Parris and Bollywood star Randeep Hooda. David Coggeshall (“The Family Plan,” “Orphan: First Kill”) penned the script. 

Variety first reported that a film inspired by the iconic car toys was underway back in 2022. 

“For nearly 70 years, Matchbox has carried enormous cultural relevance and inspired generations of kids to unleash their imaginations, combining what they see in the world every day with what they dream their own world to be,” Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films, said previously in a statement. “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.”

“Matchbox” joins “Barbie” as the latest Mattel brand to get the big-screen treatment, though presumably not for long; currently in development are projects based on fellow Mattel brands including Hot Wheels, American Girl, Barney, Polly Pocket, Thomas and Friends and Uno, amongst others. 

The film is produced by Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg and Don Granger and Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.