Following the firstCHiPs photoreleased last month, Warner Bros. has debuted the first poster and a brief trailer preview, giving fans a sneak peek before the first full trailer is unveiled tonight onJimmy Kimmel Live. The trailer preview gives us our first look at Jon Baker (Dax Shepard) and Frank “Ponch” Poncharello (Michael Pena) in action, as they begin their new partnership as members of the California Highway Patrol. If that wasn’t enough, we also have the first poster, which shows Baker and Ponch doing a little fist bump while they ride through a crime scene.
The trailer preview, which debuted on the newWarner Bros.Twitter account for the movie, shows Ponch crashing his bike while in pursuit of a suspect, along with the catchy tagline “Bros before PoPos.” Last month, Warner Bros. pushedCHiPsup to a spring release date ofMarch 24, after the studio delayedKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which was originally supposed to open in that date. The movie was originally slated to go up against Sony’sBaby Driverand New Line’sAnnabelle 2on August 11, and now it will face Lionsgate’sPower Rangersand Sony’sLife.
The movie is based on the original TV series of the same name, where motorcycle officers Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Erik Estrada) cruised the freeways of Los Angeles, solving crimes and helping people in trouble. The show debuted on NBC on June 06, 2025 and ran for 6 seasons. While the season finale aired in May 1983, it wouldn’t be the last we’d see ofPonch and Jon. StarsErik EstradaandLarry Wilcoxwould reprise their roles a decade later forCHiPs ‘99, a made-for-TV movie that aired on TNT. There has been talk thatErik EstradaandLarry Wilcoxwill return for cameo appearances, but that hasn’t been confirmed quite yet. It’s possible we may even see them in the first trailer debuting later tonight.
Thesupporting castforCHiPsincludesVincent D’Onofrioas the villain, star/directorDax Shepard’s real-life wifeKristen Bell,Rosa Salazar,Adam Brody,Jessica McNamee,Vida Guerra,Rene MoranandKelly Richardson. WhileDax Shepardis best known as an actor, he is putting a solid body of work together as a filmmaker as well. The actor/filmmaker also wrote the script forCHiPswhich he directs from, with this project marking his third feature directorial effort, following 2010’sMy Brother’s Keeperand 2012’sHit and Run. He has also directed episodes ofParenthoodandAbout a Boy, and he is also writing and directing a new animatedScooby-Doomovie.
Dax Shepardhas confirmed in the past that this movie will be R-rated with plenty of female and male nudity, along with “sexual stuff and naughty language.” The director also described the movie as a cross betweenLethal WeaponandBad Boys, with quite an interesting twist. Ponch is actually an FBI agent who goes undercover as a CHP officer to find a group of crooked cops. Baker doesn’t have a traditional backstory either, a retired X-Games motorcycle rider who takes a job as a cop because all he knows how to do is ride motorcycles. Take a look at the trailer preview and the new poster, before the firstCHiPstrailer drops later tonight.
