After Barbie, Mattel Is Launching Its Personal Cinematic Universe With 14 Motion pictures: Report

Recent off Barbie’s field workplace success, producer Mattel, which owns the Barbie model, is reportedly seeking to broaden on its IP with 14 new characteristic movies, all in numerous levels of manufacturing. As per Selection, they embrace a surrealistic Barney film, Lena Dunham’s tackle Polly Pocket, a Sizzling Wheels film produced by J.J. Abrams, and extra. The Mattel executives are additionally eager to do sequels to Greta Gerwig’s candy-coated movie, although the filmmaker is not enthusiastic about a follow-up for now, claiming, “At this second, it is all I’ve bought.” Then once more, seeing the spectacular $337 million (about Rs. 2,763 crore) it made throughout the opening weekend, it isn’t laborious to think about that Warner Bros. and Mattel will need extra.

The Selection report notes that producer Robbie Brenner, who at the moment leads Mattel Movies, hoped for Barbie to succeed, so they may financial institution on potential sequels and new initiatives based mostly on established IP. This echoes the newly-appointed CEO Ynon Kreiz’s plan from 2018 when Mattel’s gross sales had been dwindling, the place he needed to show the toy firm right into a franchise composed of movies, TV collection, and theme parks — very similar to Disney. Their first step in direction of that aim appears to have paid off, with the Barbie film outselling Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, each having launched on the identical day.

Reviews from earlier this month confirmed Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya (Nope) could be producing and starring in an adult-oriented ‘A24-type’ movie based mostly on Barney, the pleasant purple dinosaur from the youngsters’s TV present Barney & Buddies. Mattel executives claimed that it will not be R-rated, however the themes would lean extra in direction of an grownup’s style, that includes a ‘surrealistic’ take that is much like movies like Being John Malkovich and Adaptation — from the sensible minds of Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman. Chatting with Selection, producer Brenner claimed that the movie shall be about ‘identification and discovering who you’re keen on and who feels alienated.’

The miniature-sized Polly Pocket is one other toy model that Mattel plans to show right into a film, albeit it does not have as large of a model recognition as Barbie. Lena Dunham (Ladies) will write and direct the film, which stars Lily Collins (Emily in Paris, Mank) within the lead function. The movie remains to be in its early levels, with producer Brenner claiming {that a} ‘nice’ script was turned in. In the meantime, J.J. Abrams (Mission: Inconceivable III) will produce a film based mostly on the Sizzling Wheels toy line, which is being described as ‘grounded and gritty’ with emotional characters that the viewers will be capable of relate to. Warner Bros. shall be distributing it and since Abrams is concerned, you would possibly as nicely consider some lens flare.

Quick & Livid star Vin Diesel is seeking to delve into robots quickly, with a characteristic movie adaptation of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, the tabletop boxing recreation from Mattel that pits a crimson and a blue fighter towards one another, as you mash away at joysticks connected to the ring. Ryan Engle — finest identified for Rampage — is writing the script. A He-Man live-action adaptation has been within the works for a very long time, with Netflix cancelling ‘Masters of the Universe’ simply final week. Mattel remains to be in search of a brand new purchaser for He-Man although, which it believes has the potential to blow up right into a ‘mega-franchise’. The now-cancelled movie was to be directed by Aaron and Adam Nee (The Misplaced Metropolis) and featured West Aspect Story’s Kyle Allen because the lead actor.

Tom Hanks (The Terminal) is ready to seem because the Mattel astronaut figurine Main Matt Mason, who lived and labored on the moon, attracting screenwriters Akiva Goldsman (I, Robotic) and Michael Chabon (Star Trek: Picard). Due to the continued writers’ strike in Hollywood, it will likely be some time earlier than the manufacturing strikes ahead. The corporate can be planning a PG-13 thriller surrounding the Magic 8 Ball, which was used as a fortune-telling toy again within the Fifties. And if that wasn’t absurd sufficient already, Mattel will even make a film based mostly on the UNO card recreation, which is being written by Marcy Kelly.

Mattel does not appear to be executed with dolls but and needs to discover an American Lady film for its expansive ‘Mattelverse.’ As per Selection, the movie shall be a household comedy that is geared toward serving to younger ladies ‘develop with confidence and develop character.’ Even Thomas & Buddies is getting a fantasy movie adaptation, directed by Marc Forster, who rose to prominence with World Warfare Z and Discovering Neverland. Amidst this exhaustive listing, Mattel can be adapting a real story for the display screen. Titled ‘Christmas Balloon,’ the movie follows a younger woman, who tied her Christmas current listing to a balloon and despatched it up into the air, solely to be discovered by a grieving couple who work with the toy firm to make her needs come true. Gabby Lugo (A Million Little Issues) is connected to jot down the screenplay.

Here is the whole listing of flicks Mattel has deliberate for the foreseeable future. Keep in mind that manufacturing would possibly take a while, given the continued actors’ and writers’ strikes in Hollywood.

Barney — produced by and starring Daniel Kaluuya

Polly Pocket — from Lena Dunham, starring Lily Collins

Sizzling Wheels — produced by J.J. Abrams

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots — starring Vin Diesel

American Lady — a household comedy

Magic 8 Ball — a PG-13 thriller

Masters of the Universe — beforehand cancelled by Netflix

Main Matt Mason — from Akiva Goldsman and Michael Chabon, starring Tom Hanks

UNO — written by Marcy Kelly

Wishbone — produced by Peter Farrelly (Dumb & Dumber)

Matchbox — written by David Coggeshall (Orphan: First Kill)

Thomas & Buddies — from Marc Forster (World Warfare Z)

View Grasp — an journey movie based mostly on the traditional picture-viewing toy

Christmas Balloon — from Gabby Lugo; based mostly on a real story

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