First MATCHBOX Trailer Turns the Toy Cars Into a Wild Action Comedy
Hollywood's obsession with turning toy brands into movies isn't slowing down anytime soon, and now it's Matchbox's turn to hit the big screen.
After hearing about this project for a while, we finally got our first look during Apple's San Diego Comic-Con panel, where the debut trailer revealed exactly what kind of ride audiences are in for.
I'll admit, this movie isn't at all what I expected. Instead of leaning into grounded racing or nostalgia, Matchbox looks like it's aiming for full-on globe-trotting chaos with explosions, insane vehicle stunts, over-the-top action, and plenty of comedy.
The whole thing has an interestingly strange energy that feels completely unhinged. Whether it ends up being your kind of movie or not, there's no question it'll find an audience that's looking for a fun, popcorn-fueled adventure.
Directed by Sam Hargrave, best known for Extraction, the film stars John Cena as Sean, an ex-soldier who returns home after completing another successful mission.
What should've been a simple night spent reconnecting with old friends quickly spirals into absolute madness when Sean and his crew are kidnapped and framed for stealing a nuclear warhead.
Now on the run from the authorities, Sean joins his longtime friends, played by Jessica Biel, Teyonah Parris, Sam Richardson, and Arturo Castro, as they race across the globe trying to clear their names before it's too late.
Of course, this is Matchbox, so the vehicles become just as important as the characters. The trailer is packed with outrageous action sequences featuring cars, helicopters, motorcycles, and just about anything else that can move at high speed.
Many of the stunt sequences feel like they're pulling directly from the kinds of toy-fueled adventures kids imagined while pushing their Matchbox cars across the floor.
Watching the footage, it's hard not to get Fast & Furious vibes, only with an extra layer of absurd comedy mixed into the mayhem. It's a pretty bonkers concept, and while it isn't what I expected from a Matchbox movie, I can absolutely see people embracing the ridiculous fun it's going for.
The cast also includes Corey Stoll, Golshifteh Farahani, and Danai Gurira, rounding out an ensemble that looks more than ready to dive headfirst into the film's over-the-top action.
We'll find out just how crazy this ride gets when Matchbox: The Movie premieres on Apple TV+ on October 9.