Mattel has promoted Robbie Brenner to President of Mattel Films. Brenner previously served as Executive Producer of Mattel Films since 2018.
Brenner produced Barbie: The Movie for Mattel, the record-shattering film that was released in theaters this past summer in collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures. The highest-grossing film of the year, Barbie: The Movie is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.
“Robbie joined the company five years ago to bring the vision of Mattel Films to life, collaborating with leading filmmakers to make standout quality movies based on our iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences,” says Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel. “She has done exactly that and so much more, positioning Mattel Films as a key partner for innovative creators, world-class talent, award-winning producers, and major studios. Under Robbie’s leadership, we look forward to continue growing Mattel Films and bringing more exciting stories with cultural impact to the big screen to the delight of fans around the world.”
Brenner adds, “Throughout my career, I have always gravitated toward creating important movies that have something to say. Mattel and Ynon have given me the opportunity of a lifetime to unlock a treasure trove of [intellectual property] IP and collaborate with some of the greatest actors, auteurs, and studios in the world. I am grateful to all our creative partners and everyone at Mattel for their support and confidence. As we celebrate the overwhelming success of the Barbie movie with our incredible partners and fans, I am even more excited by what’s next for Mattel Films.”
Beyond the Barbie: The Movie, Mattel Films has announced 14 live-action motion pictures in active development with major studio partners including American Girl, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone. Mattel Films is also developing Christmas Balloon, a holiday family drama based on an all-new IP.
Prior to joining Mattel, as an independent producer, Brenner earned a 2013 Academy Award nomination for Dallas Buyers Club, which won three Academy Awards including Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey and Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto. Brenner also produced the critically-acclaimed women’s rights drama Call Jane, starring Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver; the supernatural romance The In Between, starring Joey King and Kyle Allen; and Burden, starring Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, and Andrea Riseborough, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award.
Previously, Brenner served as President of Production at Relativity and was integral to the studio’s acquisition of the Sundance documentary Catfish, which became a cultural sensation. There she also led production on movies such as Immortals, Safe Haven, Mirror, Mirror, Out of the Furnace, The Fighter, and more. She also previously oversaw and shepherded film production at Miramax Films and 20th Century Fox.
