Another Marvel alum has officially joined the cast ofMatchbox, 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 specificplot and character details forMatchboxremain 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’sBarbie.
According toDeadline,Corey Stoll has joined a growingMatchboxensemblethat already features Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, and two fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe stars—Walking Deadalum 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 joinsMatchbox, the film gains an actor with significant MCU experience, having played Darren Cross, a.k.a. Yellowjacket, inAnt-Manand later returning asMODOK inAnt-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,Matchboxnow boasts three key MCU alumni.
Matchboxhas sprawling ties with the MCU. Director Hargrave previously worked with the franchise as a stunt coordinator forAvengers: Infinity WarandEndgame.This suggestsMatchboxcould lean into the kind of large-scale, fast-paced action that has defined MCU blockbustersof the recent decade. With Cena’s experience in action and comedy (Fast X,Peacemaker) andStoll’s historyof 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.
Will Stoll’s Versatility Help Matchbox Find Its Story?
While the story ofMatchboxremains unknown, Stoll’s casting provides a strong indication ofthe kind of movie Mattel is crafting. With three MCU veterans, Cena’s blockbuster appeal, and a director known for stunning stunt work,Matchboxis shaping up to be an action spectacle. UnlikeBarbie, which brought a satirical and meta approach to its toy-inspired narrative,Matchboxlooks to be a more adrenaline-fueled experience with an open-ended concept.
Stoll’s addition to the cast, however, suggests thatthe 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 inMidnight in Paris,and dramatic roles inBillionsandHouse of Cards.Matchboxis 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.
