Hindi film actor Randeep Hooda will appear alongside Hollywood star John Cena in the upcoming action thriller Matchbox. The film is currently being shot in Budapest.
The actor will be reuniting with “Extraction” director Sam Hargrave with the movie, which marks their second collaboration following their 2020 Netflix hit, reports Variety.com.
“Matchbox” is a live-action film about a group of childhood friends who must work together to prevent an impending worldwide disaster and rediscover their friendship.The film is based on Mattel’s die-cast Matchbox toy vehicle line and stars Teyonah Parris, Jessica Biel and Sam Richardson. Production is currently underway in Budapest, and Hooda will join the cast.
The film is inspired by Mattel’s popular toy vehicle line, invented in 1953 by automotive enthusiast Jack Odell. Odell’s daughter was allowed to take a toy to school only if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox, and when her schoolmates began clamouring for their own “matchbox car,” the brand was born. Today, Mattel reports two Matchbox cars are sold every second worldwide.
Randeep said that he is excited to be working with Sam again.
“We had a great time on our first collaboration with ‘Extraction.’. Sam is a master of high-octane storytelling and action. Glad to be joining the team in Budapest.”
Hargrave is directing the film based on a screenplay by David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper. It is produced by Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, as well as Don Granger and Robbie Brenner, for Mattel Films.
Hargrave, whose action credentials include stunt coordination for Marvel blockbusters Avengers: Endgame, Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok, and DC’s Suicide Squad, recently directed Extraction 2. In his first outing with Hooda, the Indian actor delivered a breakthrough performance as Saju alongside Chris Hemsworth.
Randeep, who directed and starred in 2024’s “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,” is currently busy with “Jaat” under director Gopichand Malineni alongside veteran actor Sunny Deol. Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory produce the film.
The actor, who is married to Lin Laishram, will also appear in Arjun Ustara, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj.
