EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Biel is in talks to star alongside John Cena in Matchbox a new, live-action feature film from Apple Original Films, Skydance and Mattel Films that will be directed by Sam Hargrave. The new film is based on a screenplay by David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper.
The film will be inspired by Mattel’s iconic real-world die-cast toy vehicle line of the same name. The legendary Matchbox brand was invented in 1953 by automotive enthusiast Jack Odell to solve a challenge for his daughter, who was allowed to take a toy to school only if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox. When his daughter’s school friends too began clamouring for a “matchbox car,” an iconic brand was born. The high standards of authenticity for Matchbox die-cast cars have driven the brand for over 70 years and generations of fans. Today, two Matchbox cars are sold every second somewhere around the world.
The film will be produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger for Skydance, and Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.
Biel is currently shooting the Amazon MGM Studios series The Better Sister, opposite Elizabeth Banks and Kim Dickens. She is repped by UTA and LBI Entertainment.
