Matchbox’s Director Drove a Truck Off a 200-Foot Bridge: “We Did It for Real!”
Director Sam Hargrave discussed his upcoming action-comedy Matchbox: The Movie, based on the Mattel toy line and starring John Cena, revealing that his team performed real stunts rather than relying heavily on visual effects, including driving a truck off a 200-foot bridge. Speaking to Polygon as part of its 2026 Fall Preview, Hargrave said he wanted to capture a "throwback" 1990s action-film feel by using practical stunts with real cars and drivers wherever possible, drawing on experience gained directing Netflix's Extraction films.
Hargrave praised Cena's work ethic and lifelong enthusiasm for Matchbox cars, saying the actor brings new levels of charm and comedic range to his role as a character named Sean. The director noted that while modern safety precautions and visual effects have expanded what's possible on set, he deliberately leaned into old-school practical filmmaking for Matchbox, blending big action spectacle with a comedic, character-driven story about love and friendship.
- Matchbox director Sam Hargrave used real stunts, including a 200-foot bridge jump
- Film stars John Cena and is based on Mattel's toy car line
- Hargrave aimed for a practical, 1990s-style action-comedy feel
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Matchbox: The Movie is an upcoming action-comedy from Mattel, the toy company known for its small die-cast Matchbox cars, which has been expanding into films following the success of its Barbie adaptation. The film is directed by Sam Hargrave, best known for directing Netflix's Extraction films, and stars wrestler-turned-actor John Cena.
Hargrave has built a reputation for favouring practical, real-world stunts over computer-generated effects, a style he has now brought to Matchbox. The comparison he draws is to 1990s action films, an era before CGI became the default way to create big set-piece moments on screen.
The film pairs this large-scale stunt work with a comedic, character-driven story, with Cena playing a character called Sean. It is one of several titles being previewed ahead of its release as part of a wider wave of toy and brand-based movies aimed at both nostalgic adults and new audiences.