Apple Original Films’ Matchbox movie is circling a popular Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor to star opposite John Cena. Produced in collaboration with Skydance and Mattel Films, the upcoming movie is based on the iconic line of children’s toy cars that first took the world by storm in the 1950s. Plans for a live-action movie based on the Matchbox car brand from toy giant Mattel were first announced in 2022, predating the release of 2023’s Barbie. Helmed by Extraction director Sam Hargrave, the movie will be based on a script penned by David Coggeshall (The Family Plan) and Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project).
Cena, who recently wrapped filming on Peacemaker season 2, was first named as the Matchbox movie’s lead in September this year, and currently remains the only confirmed cast member. While details about the direction of the film’s plot remain scant, the decision to tap stunt-man-turned-director Hargrave, combined with Cena’s casting, would suggest the movie could potentially lean into an action-heavy approach.
Apple’s Matchbox Movie Is Courting A 7th Heaven Star To Appear Opposite John Cena
News About The Next Mattel Movie Has Been Scant Since Cena’s Casting
After months of relative silence following Cena’s casting announcement, Deadline is reporting that Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star Jessica Biel is currently in talks to join the Matchbox movie’s cast. First coming to widespread attention as Mary Camden in the long-running family drama 7th Heaven, her eclectic career would see her tackle a broad range of projects covering everything from horror outings like the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake to romantic comedies such as 2015’s Accidental Love.
However, the monumental success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has revealed that even the most unlikely of movie premises can succeed if approached in just the right way.
No stranger to action movies herself, one of Biel’s earlier film roles even saw her tackle the role of Abigail Whistler, daughter of Kris Kristofferson’s Abraham Whistler in Blade: Trinity. Biel’s other flirtations with action movies include 2005’s Stealth, the Nicolas Cage-led Next, and the 2010 remake of The A-Team.
Our Take On Jessica Biel Joining The Matchbox Movie
Biel’s Versatility Could Prove A Major Boon To The Mattel Project
At this stage, reports indicate that only discussions are currently underway for Biel to join the cast of the Matchbox movie. However, should Apple and its producing partners finalize the deal, it could prove a major boon for their plans. Prior to 2023, few commentators could have predicted strong anticipation for a movie based on a line of die-cast toy cars. However, the monumental success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has revealed that even the most unlikely of movie premises can succeed if approached in just the right way.
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Not only is Biel a talented actor and producer in her own right, but her breadth of experience will also come in handy when it comes time to breathe life into the next movie based on a Mattel toy line. Moreover, her experience in some of the lighter roles from her esteemed career could also play well against Cena’s own proclivity for injecting humor into his roles. Whether the Matchbox movie will manage to live up to Barbie’s enormous success remains to be seen, but Biel’s potential casting is a promising step forward for the project.
Source: Deadline
John Cena
- Birthdate
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April 23, 1977
- Birthplace
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West Newbury, Massachusetts, USA
