Another classic character is headed for the big screen.
Mattel Films is working with ShadowMachine and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions to develop a feature-length animated film inspired by Bob the Builder.
Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, In the Heights), fresh off teaming up with Hasbro‘s Autobots in last summer’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (and potentially setting up a role as a member of G.I. Joe) makes the jump into the Mattel-verse as the voice of Roberto “Bob” the Builder.
The new tale follows Bob as he travels “to the enchanting Island of Puerto Rico for a major construction job, where he takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build. Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people.”
Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story with ShadowMachine and Nuyorican’s artisan approach will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognize, and all-new audiences will enjoy."
The original Bob the Builder series was focused on a preschool audience with teamwork at its core. The series was rebooted and revamped around a decade ago and is primed for another reinvention for new generations of kids.
“For years, Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world,” Ramos says. “I’m proud to partner with Mattel Films, ShadowMachine, Nuyorican Productions, and Felipe Vargas to bring this important message to the big screen, adding elements of life that are inspired by my own. A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!”
The Grammy-winning, Golden Globe, and Emmy-nominated Ramos produces alongside Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico of ShadowMachine (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, BoJack Horseman). Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina will co-produce for Nuyorican Productions (The Mother, Shotgun Wedding, Hustlers). Writer Felipe Vargas (Rosario, Loteria) is attached to pen the screenplay. The production is being overseen by Kevin McKeon, Ivan Sanchez, and Arturo Thur De Koós for Mattel and Natalie Haack Flores for Nuyorican.
Following the gigantic success of the Academy Award-nominated Barbie, Mattel Films’ current development lineup includes American Girl, Barney, Bob the Builder, Christmas Balloon, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone.
