Bollywood star Randeep Hooda is all set to reunite with Extraction director Sam Hargrave for Apple Original Films’ upcoming thriller Matchbox, marking their second collaboration after their success on Netflix in 2020.
The live-action film, based on Mattel’s line of die-cast Matchbox toy cars, stars John Cena, Teyonah Parris, Jessica Biel, and Sam Richardson. Production is currently underway in Budapest, where Hooda is joining the cast.
Hargrave directs from a screenplay by David Coggeshall (“The Family Plan,” “Orphan: First Kill”) and Jonathan Tropper (the upcoming “You Friends and Neighbors,” “The Adam Project”). The film is produced by Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg as well as Don Granger and Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.
“Matchbox” is about a group of childhood friends who must work together to stop an impending global catastrophe and rediscover their friendship along the way.
The film is based on Mattel’s famous toy car line, which was created by car enthusiast Jacques O’Dell in 1953. O’Dell’s daughter was only allowed to take a toy to school if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox, and when her schoolmates began demanding a “Matchbox car” “Their brand was born. Today, Mattel reported that two Matchbox cars are sold every second somewhere around the world.
“I’m excited to work with Sam again. We had a great time in our first collaboration with Extraction,” Hooda said in a statement. “Sam is a master of storytelling and high-octane action. I am delighted to join the team in Budapest.
Hargrave, whose action credentials include stunt coordination for Marvel blockbusters “Avengers: Endgame,” “Infinity War,” “Thor: Ragnarok” and DC’s “Suicide Squad,” most recently directed “Extraction 2.” His debut with Hooda saw the Indian actor deliver a brilliant performance as Saju alongside Chris Hemsworth.
Meanwhile, Hooda, who directed and starred in 2024’s ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, maintains a busy slate in the Hindi film industry and is currently shooting for ‘Jaat’ under director Gopichand Malineni alongside veteran actor Sunny Deol. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, who are responsible for ‘Pushpa 2’, India’s biggest hit of 2024. The actor is also attached to ‘Arjun Ustara’, directed by popular director Vishal Bhardwaj.