Matchbox director Sam Hargrave embraced a hands-on approach for the upcoming action-comedy, even driving a semi-truck and trailer off a 200-foot bridge for a practical stunt. Hargrave, known for his work on Netflix's Extraction films, aims to capture a nostalgic, 90s action movie feel with the Mattel toy adaptation.
"I really wanted to lean into the practical side of things and see real people driving real cars doing real stunts," Hargrave told Polygon in a recent interview. He elaborated that while safety precautions and visual effects have advanced, his priority was to deliver authentic, full-scale action. This philosophy extended to other stunts, including a car rolling over 14 times and a helicopter flying under an underpass, all performed in reality.
The director described the ethos of a Matchbox movie as embracing one's inner child, saying yes to adventure, and thinking "inside the box." This approach was inspired by the master filmmakers who influenced him as a child. He also noted the opportunity to flex his comedic muscles, describing the film as a tender story about love and friendship wrapped in action spectacle.
John Cena stars in the film as Sean, a role Hargrave believes Cena inhabits with a unique blend of charm, charisma, wit, and action prowess. Hargrave praised Cena as a collaborator who was always eager to contribute and never shied away from challenges. Cena's lifelong passion for Matchbox cars and his enthusiasm for automotive endeavors made him an ideal fit for the project. Hargrave suggested that his experience on the Extraction films, which honed his skills in action filmmaking, money management, and working with actors, has prepared him to blend action and comedy for Matchbox.
When asked about the pressure to replicate the success of 2023's Barbie, Hargrave differentiated the two films. He sees Barbie as its own cultural phenomenon based on a highly successful toy, while Matchbox is more loosely based on the toys and leans into a nostalgic element for action film fans. He characterized Matchbox as a fun adventure movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, expecting more laughs than audiences might anticipate.
Hargrave also shared a personal connection to the Matchbox brand, recalling his childhood fondness for the toy cars. He even utilized Matchbox cars extensively in his previous roles as a stunt coordinator and second unit director to visually explain car sequences to cast and crew, a technique he found himself employing on the set of Matchbox: The Movie.