Following years of success in developing toys inspired by Jurassic World, Mattel is bringing another dinosaur back into toy departments around the world.
Barney is being prepped for a major comeback as Mattel promises “a comprehensive revitalization of the Barney brand” that will begin next year with the debut of an all-new animated series. From there, the Barney relaunch will extend beyond TV and across film, YouTube content, music, toys, books, clothing, and more. Additionally, the kidult crowd will not be ignored, as Mattel says that apparel and accessories featuring Classic Barney will be offered for adult fans.
The news follows Mattel’s successful relaunch of additional legacy properties, including Masters of the Universe and Monster High.
“Barney’s message of love and kindness has stood the test of time,” says Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer and Global Head of Consumer Products at Mattel. “We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products, and experiences.”
The cornerstone of the relaunch is the new animated series that Mattel Television’s Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan are executive producing alongside Nelvana’s Colin Bohm and Pam Westman.
“In creating the new series, it was important to us that we properly reflect the world that kids today live in so that the series can deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it,” says Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mattel Television. “With our modern take on Barney, we hope to inspire the next generation to listen, care, and dream big. We think that parents, many of whom will fondly remember the original Barney from their own childhoods, will love the show, too.”
Mattel Films previously revealed plans for a Barney film back in 2019. Barney’s last trip to the theater was in 1998’s Barney’s Great Adventure.
