Mattel Films and Universal Pictures are collaborating on a theatrical film for the first time.
The companies have detailed plans to develop a live-action film based on Wishbone, a PBS series about a Jack Russell terrier that debuted in the mid-1990s and aired through 2001. The story follows the titular dog as he assumed roles from classic literary tales such as Frankenstein, Robin Hood, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Sherlock Holmes.
Mattel Films is producing alongside Academy Award-winner Peter Farrelly (Dumb and Dumber, Green Book, There’s Something About Mary).
Roy Parker, who penned the much-buzzed-about 2019 Blacklist screenplay, This House is Not for Sale, will write the script. Mattel Films’ Executive Producer Robbie Brenner, executive producer, and Supervising Producer Kevin McKeon will lead the project, and Director of Development Lexi Barta will oversee the project for Universal Pictures.
“Our deep library of iconic franchises continues to offer cinematic storytelling opportunities,” says Brenner. “We’re thrilled to be working with Peter Farrelly, Roy Parker, and Universal to take the beloved dog classic into a new direction with a modern reimagination of the franchise.”
Wishbone joins American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, and View-Master in the Mattel Films development slate.
