The release of Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s “Barbie” next month is set to serve as a launch pad for Mattel Films, the toy manufacturer’s studio, which has around 45 projects in the works based on its toys and popular IP.
The New Yorker has done a big profile piece on the company and offered updates on numerous previously announced projects along with the revelations of some new ones.
For example, “Cocaine Bear” screenwriter Jimmy Warden has devised a horror-comedy about the Magic 8 Ball and whilst it’s not R-rated, it “walks the line a little bit,” says Mattel development exec Robbie Brenner.
Arguably the most well-known of the ones in the works is the “Barney” movie starring “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya. Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon tells the outlet the film is surrealistic and an “A24-type” movie in the vein of works by Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze:
“We’re leaning into the Millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids. It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being 30-something, growing up with Barney – just the level of disenchantment within the generation… It would be so daring of us, and really underscore that we’re here to make art.”
There are several other projects reportedly in development, including “American Girl,” “Major Matt Mason,” “Matchbox,” “Masters of the Universe,” “Polly Pocket,” “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,” “Uno” and “View-Master” along with the long in development “Hot Wheels” movie, which still has J.J. Abrams attached.
All this depends upon the box-office fate of “Barbie” which hits cinemas on July 21st.
