Matchbox: The Movie

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Matchbox: The Movie
Matchbox- The Movie logo.jpg
Official logo
Directed by Sam Hargrave
Written byDavid Coggeshall
Based on Matchbox
by Mattel
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPedro Luque
Production
companies
Distributed by Apple TV
Release date
  • October 9, 2026 (2026-10-09)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Matchbox: The Movie is an upcoming American action adventure comedy film directed by Sam Hargrave and written by David Coggeshall, based on the toy brand Matchbox by Mattel. It stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Teyonah Parris, Randeep Hooda, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, Golshifteh Farahani, and Bill Camp.

Contents

Matchbox: The Movie is set to be released in the United States on Apple TV in October 9, 2026.

Premise

The plot follows Sean, a former soldier who reunites with childhood friends after a successful mission, only to be kidnapped and framed. The group must clear their names and rediscover their friendship in a high-stakes cross-continental adventure.

Cast

Production

In May 2024, Skydance Media and Mattel Films were developing a live-action film based on the toy brand Matchbox. Sam Hargrave had been hired to direct the film, and David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper were penning the screenplay. [9] In September, John Cena joined the cast in the lead role. [10] In November, Jessica Biel joined the cast in an undisclosed role. [11] In December, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, and Teyonah Parris joined the cast in undisclosed roles. [2] [4] [3] Randeep Hooda, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, and Golshifteh Farahani would later be added to the cast. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Filming began in Budapest in January 2025, with additional filming taking place in Casablanca in March, as evidenced by social media posts showing lead actor John Cena filming action car scenes on location. [12] Scenes were also filmed in Erfoud and Merzouga. [13] Production was also expected to occur in Slovakia (already finished as of April 7, 2025 [14] ) and Los Angeles. [15]

Release

Matchbox: The Movie is set to be released on Apple TV on October 9, 2026. [8] [16]

References

  1. ↑ Pirodsky, Jason (May 22, 2025). "'Matchbox': John Cena movie from the Mattel toy line filmed near Czech border in Slovakia". The Prague Reporter. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Grobar, Matt (December 4, 2024). "Sam Richardson Latest To Join Apple's Live-Action 'Matchbox' Movie". Deadline Hollywood .
  3. 1 2 Kit, Borys (December 6, 2024). "Teyonah Parris Joins John Cena's 'Matchbox' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter .
  4. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (December 5, 2024). "Arturo Castro Joins Apple's Live-Action 'Matchbox'". Deadline Hollywood .
  5. 1 2 Ramachandran, Naman (January 23, 2025). "Bollywood Star Randeep Hooda Joins John Cena in Matchbox (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Kit, Borys (January 31, 2025). "Danai Gurira Joins John Cena in 'Matchbox' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (February 3, 2025). "Corey Stoll Latest To Join Apple's 'Matchbox'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 3, 2026). "Mattel's 'Matchbox The Movie' To Vroom On Apple TV This October". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 7, 2024). "'Matchbox' Movie From Mattel Films And Skydance Lands 'Extraction's Sam Hargrave As Director". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ Kroll, Justin (September 17, 2024). "John Cena To Star In 'Matchbox' Movie From Sam Hargrave, Skydance, Mattel Films And Apple". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ Kroll, Justin (November 21, 2024). "Jessica Biel In Talks To Co-Star Opposite John Cena In 'Matchbox' Movie From Apple, Skydance And Mattel". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  12. ↑ @le360fr; (March 14, 2025). "John Cena, star du catch et du cinéma américain, est actuellement au Maroc pour le tournage du film d'action « Matchbox »" [American wrestling and film star John Cena is currently in Morocco filming the action movie "Matchbox."] (in French). Retrieved March 15, 2025– via Instagram.
  13. ↑ Youssef, Labchir (March 13, 2025). "John Cena and Jessica Biel Shoot Action Film Inspired by Matchbox Cars in Morocco". 2M.ma (in French). Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ o, mediak, s r (April 6, 2025). "VIDEO: Z diaľnice pri Žiline odišli filmári, opäť je prejazdná. Unikli blízke zábery z natáčania". Žilinak.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved April 7, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Matchbox Feature Film to Shoot in Budapest, Slovakia, Morocco and Los Angeles". Budapest Reporter. December 6, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  16. ↑ Stephan, Katcy (May 20, 2025). "Whac-A-Mole Film in Development From Mattel and TriStar Pictures". Variety . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
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