Vin Diesel will write a ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots’ movie

As we continue to wait for the next Fast & Furious film, Vin Diesel is writing himself a new family.

Mattel Studios announced that the xXx star will serve as screenwriter for a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots film. Diesel was previously announced as the star and producer of the project under his production company One Race Films.

The Chronicles of Riddick actor shared his enthusiasm for the project in a statement in a Mattel press release on Thursday.

“I am excited to expand the Mattel universe by bringing this classic toy from my childhood to a modern audience by telling a story that examines the role of competition in a world often measured by strength and dominance that dares to reveal the power of compassion at its core,” he said.

Mattel previously made a Hollywood splash with Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar hit Barbie in 2023. The toy company’s film division will see cinematic adaptations of Masters of the Universe and Matchbox racecars hit theaters in 2026.

Diesel began his career writing and directing his own projects, including his 1995 short Multi-Facialwhich screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and his 1997 feature debut Strayswhich premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Diesel also wrote and directed the 2009 short The Banditsa Fast & Furious short that was released on the Blu-ray for the series’ fourth installment, Fast & Furious.

The Pacifier star also said that he originated the concept for his 2015 fantasy film The Last Witch Huntertaking inspiration from his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. He did not receive story or screenwriting credit on the film, however.

Mattel Studios president Robbie Brenner hyped up Diesel’s creative instincts in a statement.

“Vin is a powerhouse storyteller with an unmatched understanding of action, heart, and world-building,” he said. “His creative vision for Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots is bold, human, and deeply cinematic — exactly the kind of storytelling we love at Mattel Studios.”

For the uninitiated, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots are plastic toy robots that fight each other in a boxing ring. The toys first hit shelves in 1964 and have never received a dedicated screen treatment, though they do make a brief appearance in Toy Story 2.

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Diesel has not appeared in a film since 2023’s Fast X. He regularly posts on Instagram about the next installments in the Fast and Riddick franchises — which currently seem to be titled Fast Forever and Riddick: Furyarespectively — though the actual development status of each project remains unclear. He is also set to star in a sequel to The Last Witch Hunterwhich a recent Instagram post by the actor indicates will bear the title Kaulder the Immortal — The Lion’s Oath.