A familiar dinosaur is being prepped for another great adventure.
Mattel Inc., along with 59% Productions and Valparaiso Pictures, is developing a live-action film based on Barney the purple dinosaur. Barney joins Barbie, Hot Wheels, American Girl, View-Master, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, and the long-gestating Masters of the Universe in the Mattel Films development slate. Kevin McKeon will shepherd the project.
Academy Award-nominee Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Black Panther), Rowan Riley, and Amandla Crichlow — all from 59% Productions — will co-produce alongside Mattel Films and Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, and Bobby Hoppey.
“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” says Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”
“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” Kaluuya says. “We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”
Barney’s last trip to the multiplex was in 1998’s Barney’s Great Adventure (pictured above).
