Hot Wheels vehicles have always felt the need for speed. For this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, that need has been immortalized in die-cast metal. As part of their annual convention exclusives, the toysmiths at Mattel are unleashing a Top Gun-themed set for that film’s 40th anniversary, recreating one of the film’s most iconic scenes (not involving sweaty volleyball), as well as a 10th anniversary Stranger Things special edition that captures what is arguably Season’s 1 most memorable moment.
“Watch the birdie!”
A key moment in Top Gun finds Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Anthony Edwards’ Nick “Goose” Bradshaw in a tense confrontation with a Russian fighter jet. Our heroes get the upper hand, literally, as Maverick pulls a daring, inverted maneuver over his adversary while Goose snaps a Polaroid.
For the 40th anniversary, Mattel sculpted screen-accurate scale versions of the F-14 Tomcat (with moveable wings) and the first-ever Hot Wheels MiG-28 (a plane that never existed in real life; the model invented for the film was a reskinned F-5 Tiger) that can be mounted on a special stand.
Eleven vs. the van
Then there’s the Stranger Things set, which depicts the moment Eleven uses her powers to flip the van-ful of Hawkins Lab lackeys over her, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas, in a nod to E.T.
Included are the Hawkins Power and Light ’83 Chevy Van and the four mini-figures of bike-riding BFFs, while the packaging doubles as a diorama that displays the van in midair over the kids.
Gold Derby tracked down two of the Mattel designers behind these limited-edition sets to explain what it took to transform classic screen moments into Hot Wheels, along with some of the finer details for fans to geek out on.
Gold Derby: What inspired you to recreate these particular moments?
Manson Cheung (3D modeler and sculptor): I like planes and had already designed the Grumman F-14 Tomcat for Top Gun a few years ago. I am always up for any chance to do another plane. There was an opportunity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Top Gun so this was another chance to revisit this world. So I pitched the idea to replicate the iconic scene from the film.
Chris Colangelo (senior manager of product design for vehicles): 2026 is the 10th anniversary of Stranger Things. Hot Wheels wanted to celebrate this milestone with a recreation of one of the most iconic scenes from the first season, the van-flip. It is instantly recognizable and so iconic to Stranger Things that it was really a no-brainer for us.
How did you create the miniature model? Did you use any historical assets from the movie/show as reference? Did you work with the studio at all?
Cheung: Yes, I modeled the new MiG-28, technically a Northop F-5 Tiger, using blueprints, then cross-checking with reference photos and screenshots to match the screen-used plane. It also meant I had to watch the scene a few times. After modeling the basic plane, I needed to figure out how to part it out for manufacturing and assembly. As a part of our ongoing relationship with the studio, we do work hand-in-hand to ensure accuracy of the product’s design.
I also designed and modeled the stand. Originally, it was more complicated, I had to simplify it to stay under cost and make it fit in the package.
Coangelo: I worked very closely with Manson to recreate the 1983 Chevy Van. We pulled a ton of reference from the show as well as input from Chevrolet. We then worked with the studio to recreate the graphics for the truck. Additionally, we needed to make sure that our figures were as accurate as possible. Even though they are tiny, our figures are accurate down to the correct pose, clothing and bikes.
Are there any Easter eggs or elements added for the true fans? What’s your favorite part of the final product?
Cheung: I have always wanted to see the famous photo that Goose took with his camera. Since it does not officially exist, I had to create one, so I sketched one out and had a real artist clean it up. We have that photo on the back of the package.
An unrelated Easter egg — I made the overall height at 3.14 inches… pi inches!
Coangelo: My favorite part is how accurately we were able to recreate the entire scene. At first glance it looks like a miniature poster and you don’t even realize it’s a toy.
The packaging for these is as impressive as the sculpts. What can you tell us about how the boxes were conceived, designed, and created?
Cheung: The graphics are a representation of Maverick’s helmet. The item itself sits on the base of the structure, while the lid/cover of the structure can also be used to elevate the base. It stays put with magnets.
Coangelo: Our packaging team did an amazing job in creating this diorama. Our engineer, David Magde, was able to layout all the contents and capture everything in motion, almost like it was a photograph. And our graphic designer, Omar Rivero, was able to recreate the suburbs of Hawkins really tying this whole item together.
Do you consider yourself a fan of these properties?
Cheung: I can confidently say that I am the in-house expert on all things Top Gun. I put together a mostly screen-accurate flight suit with hand-sewn patches. I even have Maverick’s watch, a Porsche Design Chronograph 1. I wore the suit and watch to the meeting to get manager approval for this item. Fun fact: I attended the global premiere for Top Gun: Maverick. I also had the DJ play the Top Gun theme at our wedding. I am honored and humbled to be able to work on an item from one of my favorite movies.
Coangelo: Yes, I am a big fan of Stranger Things. I have been watching it since it premiered. As an ’80s kid, this show brings me right back. I also rewatched the series recently with my daughter for the first time. She is also now a fan and has this toy sitting on her shelf at home.
The Hot Wheels Top Gun and Stranger Things anniversary sets will be available at San Diego Comic-Con, which runs July 23-26, and also via the Mattel Creations website.
