Another Marvel alum has officially joined the cast of Matchbox, the upcoming live-action film based on Mattel’s iconic die-cast toy car line. John Cena will lead the high-octane action project by Skydance and Mattel Films with Sam Hargrave (Extraction) attached as director. While specific plot and character details for Matchbox remain under wraps, the film marks another major toy-to-screen adaptation in Mattel’s expanding cinematic slate following the billion-dollar success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.

According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Corey Stoll has joined a growing Matchbox ensemble that already features Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, and two fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe stars—Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ alum Danai Gurira (Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame) and Teyonah Parris (The Marvels, WandaVision). Production is currently underway in Budapest, continuing Skydance and Mattel’s push to turn nostalgic toy brands into major live-action adventures.

What Corey Stoll’s Casting For Matchbox Means

Another Marvel Star Joins Mattel’s Upcoming Project

As Stoll joins Matchbox, the film gains an actor with significant MCU experience, having played Darren Cross, a.k.a. Yellowjacket, in Ant-Man and later returning as MODOK in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. As Yellowjacket, Stoll portrayed a sharp antagonist who wielded advanced shrinking technology before being trapped in the Quantum Realm. His return as MODOK took a comedic turn as Stoll seamlessly balanced a sense of menace with humor and an oversized head. With Stoll, Gurira, and Parris, Matchbox now boasts three key MCU alumni.

Matchbox has sprawling ties with the MCU. Director Hargrave previously worked with the franchise as a stunt coordinator for Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. This suggests Matchbox could lean into the kind of large-scale, fast-paced action that has defined MCU blockbusters of the recent decade. With Cena’s experience in action and comedy (Fast X, Peacemaker) and Stoll’s history of both dramatic and antagonistic characters (House of Cards), the film should hopefully deliver a mix of thrilling stunts, high-speed chases, and amusing character dynamics.

Our Take On Matchbox’s Growing Star Power

Will Stoll’s Versatility Help Matchbox Find Its Story?

While the story of Matchbox remains unknown, Stoll’s casting provides a strong indication of the kind of movie Mattel is crafting. With three MCU veterans, Cena’s blockbuster appeal, and a director known for stunning stunt work, Matchbox is shaping up to be an action spectacle. Unlike Barbie, which brought a satirical and meta approach to its toy-inspired narrative, Matchbox looks to be a more adrenaline-fueled experience with an open-ended concept.

Stoll’s addition to the cast, however, suggests that the film won’t just be a series of high-speed chases and explosions. Stoll brings depth to larger-than-life characters, as seen with his award-nominated portrayal of Hemingway in Midnight in Paris, and dramatic roles in Billions and House of Cards. Matchbox is clearly leaning into stunt-driven spectacle, but Stoll’s presence, alongside Cena and fellow MCU alum Gurira, hints that there may be more substance to the story than a straightforward action movie.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline