Randeep Hooda to share screen space with John Cena in 'Matchbox'

Hindi film actor Randeep Hooda will be seen sharing screen space with 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 in the movie, which marks their second collaboration following their 2020 Netflix hit.

Matchbox will follow a group of childhood friends who must work together to stop an impending worldwide disaster and rediscover their friendship along the way. The live-action film, based on Mattel’s die-cast matchbox toy vehicle line, also stars Teyonah Parris, Jessica Biel and Sam Richardson. Production is currently underway in Budapest.

The film is inspired by Mattel’s popular toy vehicle line, which was 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.

Randeep said that he was 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 based on a screenplay by David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper. Hargrave, whose action credentials include stunt coordination for Marvel blockbusters Avengers: Endgame, Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok and DC’s Suicide Squad, recently helmed Extraction 2. His first outing with Hooda saw the Indian actor deliver 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. The actor will also be seen in Arjun Ustara by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj.