Still riding high on the success of the “Barbie” movie, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has briefly spoken about the forthcoming film adaptation of the “Barney the Dinosaur” project.
“Get Out” and “Nope” star Daniel Kaluuya is attached to the film, which aims to subvert expectations about what a “Barney” film could be in the way “Barbie” was both a tribute and satire of the doll and her larger societal impact. Speaking with Semafor (via Deadline, Kreiz says:
“It’s too early to be specific, but I can tell you we are taking a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining and culturally oriented. It will not be an odd movie.”
It’s not clear what that last sentence means. It follows on from comments earlier this year from Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon who teased the new “Barney” film would be surrealistic and would “lean into the millennial angst of the property”.
He added that it was “really a play for adults” and explore the level of disenchantment within the generation that grew up with the character.
Mattel has multiple films in development based on their IP, including a “Hot Wheels” film with J.J. Abrams, a “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” movie with Vin Diesel, a “Polly Pocket” film directed by Lena Dunham, a “Matchbox Cars” project, and a Major Matt Mason movie starring Tom Hanks.