Warner Bros. Is Racing Ahead With Hot Wheels Movie

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.