Danai Gurira Joins Cast of Apple’s “Matchbox” Alongside John Cena and More

by Annika January 31, 2025

Danai Gurira, best known for her role as Okoye in Black Panther and Michonne in The Walking Dead, has joined the cast of Apple Original Films’ Matchbox. She will star alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, and Arturo Castro. Directed by Sam Hargrave, the movie will be a live-action adaptation of the classic Mattel car toy line. The plot details have been kept a secret, but the film is described as an action-packed adventure that follows a group of childhood friends working together to prevent a global disaster. Matchbox will be filmed in various locations, including Hungary and Slovakia, and is set to be released by Apple.

– Danai Gurira, known for her roles in Black Panther and The Walking Dead, has joined the cast of Matchbox, Apple’s live-action film based on the classic Mattel car toy line.
– The movie will also star John Cena, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, and Arturo Castro.
– Directed by Sam Hargrave, the film will be shot in Hungary and Slovakia and is described as an action-packed adventure about childhood friends who must save the world and rediscover their friendship.

Danai Gurira, best known for her role in Black Panther and as Michonne in The Walking Dead, has joined the cast of Matchbox, an Apple Original Films production that brings the classic Mattel car toy line to life. She joins a talented ensemble that includes John Cena, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, and Arturo Castro.

Directed by Sam Hargrave, known for his work on Extraction, Matchbox is set to start filming this winter in various locations around the world, such as Hungary and Slovakia.

Matchbox, a toy brand established in 1953 and later acquired by Mattel in 1997, initially competed with Hot Wheels in the die-cast car market.

Although plot details have been kept under wraps, the film is described as an action-packed, globetrotting adventure that centers around a group of childhood friends. Together, they must join forces to prevent a global catastrophe and rediscover the true meaning of friendship along the way.

The screenplay for Matchbox is penned by David Coggeshall, writer of the action comedy The Family Plan for Apple, and Jonathan Tropper, the author behind the Ryan Reynolds-led action-adventure film The Adam Project.

Produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger from Skydance, along with Robbie Brenner from Mattel Films and Jules Daly, Matchbox promises to be an exciting collaboration.

Recently, Gurira starred in The Walking Dead limited series titled The Ones Who Live, in which she reprised her beloved role as Michonne. The show reunited her with Andrew Lincoln, and the six episodes continued the post-apocalyptic love story of Rick Grimes and Michonne. As an executive producer and writer, Gurira has showcased her versatile talents. She is also a Tony Award-nominated playwright and achieved the historic milestone of being the first African female writer to have a play on Broadway.

Gurira is represented by UTA, Suskin/Karshan Management, Jackoway Austen, and The Initiative Group.