Latest news with #MattelFilms
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ayo Edebiri Built ‘Barney' Pitch During Asia Trip
Ayo Edebiri is taking on a classic children's TV character after a much-needed break. The Golden Globe winner recently revealed that she developed her pitch for the upcoming Daniel Kaluuya-produced Barney film, from A24 and Mattel Films, during a trip suggested by a friend who noticed she was tired. More from Deadline Ayo Edebiri Tapped To Write Live-Action Barney Movie For Mattel, A24, Producer Daniel Kaluuya; Also In Talks To Star Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz On Barney Film: 'It Will Not Be An Odd Movie' Mikey Madison In Talks To Step In For Sydney Sweeney On A24's 'Masque Of The Red Death' 'She was like, 'When can you take a break?' And then I did. I went on a trip to Asia for a month,' she recalled to The Wall Street Journal. 'I felt like that girl who takes a gap year. That's where I ended up coming up with the idea for Barney that I ended up pitching to Daniel.' Edebiri added, 'I was just thinking of, what are the movies that I want to make? What are the things that I want to do? What are the things that make me excited? So I just had this idea, and then we started building it out together. And then it becomes what it's going to be, which I don't want to say too much about.' The Bear star was tapped to write the film in February, and she's also in talks to star in the adaptation of the PBS kids show Barney & Friends, which ran for 14 seasons from 1992 to 2010. The character of the big purple dinosaur was previously originated in the 1988 direct-to-video series Barney & the Backyard Gang. Mattel exec Kevin McKeon has said the live-action Barney film will be adult-oriented and 'surrealistic,' in the vein of films by Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze. 'We're leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,' he said. 'It's really a play for adults. Not that it's R-rated, but it'll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.' Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has added that the film is 'taking a fresh approach' to the character that will be 'fun, entertaining and culturally oriented,' emphasizing it 'will not be an odd movie.' Editor's note: A previous version of this story inaccurately stated Edebiri developed the pitch with a friend. We regret the error. Best of Deadline 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mattel, TriStar to Develop Film Based on Whac-a-Mole
With films based on 'Masters of the Universe' and Matchbox toy cars already in development, Mattel Films is adding a live-action/animated hybrid movie based on the classic game Whac-a-Mole to their production slate with TriStar as its partner. 'Whac-A-Mole is more than a game — it's a laugh-out-loud battle of reflexes that has brought joy and a little chaos to families for five decades. We're beyond excited to team up with TriStar Pictures to turn the iconic experience into a wild, action-packed ride for the big screen,' Mattel Films president Robbie Brenner said. Whac-a-Mole was first created as an arcade game by the Japanese company TOGO in 1975, challenging players to hit toy moles that popped out of a series of holes with a soft mallet before they fell back down. The game became a cultural touchstone, often used to refer to futile tasks. Mattel acquired the trademark to the game in 2008 and has released a home version with moles that light up instead of popping out of holes. The film will be overseen by Elizabeth Bassin and Steve Spohr for Mattel Films, and by Shary Shirazi and Kelseigh Coombs for TriStar Pictures. 'Mattel continues to create impact with their films, and Whac-A-Mole is no exception – a brand that has been in culture for generations,' added TriStar president Nicole Brown. 'We look forward to partnering with them to bring audiences a fresh, unexpected take on this absolute classic.' Since scoring the highest grossing film of 2023 with Warner Bros. and Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie,' Mattel has begun searching through its catalog of toys and games for more potential film adaptations. 'Masters of the Universe,' which is currently shooting in the U.K., will be based on the classic 80s toy line and animated series 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,' with Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and Alison Brie, Camila Mendes, Jared Leto and Idris Elba rounding out the cast. 'Bumblebee' and 'Kubo and the Two Strings' filmmaker Travis Knight is directing, with a release set by Amazon MGM for June 5, 2026. The studio is also producing a movie based on the classic Matchbox die-cast toy car series starring John Cena and Jessica Biel. Skydance and Apple are co-producing the film for a release in fall 2026. The post Mattel, TriStar to Develop Film Based on Whac-a-Mole appeared first on TheWrap.
See - Sada Elbalad
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Masters of the Universe" Movie Adds 3 to Cast
Yara Sameh The live-action film 'Masters of the Universe' is continuing to power up as three cast members have joined the Amazon MGM Studios project. The reimagining of the popular Mattel toy line, the film has started production and has added Sasheer Zamata as Suzie, Jon Xue Zhang as Ram-Man, and Christian Vunipola as Hussein. Nicholas Galitzine was previously announced to star as He-Man in director Travis Knight's feature that is set to hit theaters exclusively on June 5, 2026. They'll join the previously cast Nicholas Galitzine (set to portray He-Man), Camila Mendes (Teela), Jared Leto (Skeletor), Idris Elba (Duncan/Man-at-Arms), Morena Baccarin (The Sorceress), James Purefoy (King Randor), Alison Brie (Evil-Lyn), Charlotte Riley (Queen Marlena), Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Malcolm/Fisto), Sam C. Wilson (Trap Jaw), Hafthor Bjornsson (Goat Man) and Kojo Attah (Tri-Klops). 'Bumblebee' director Travis Knight is directing for the Escape Artists and Mattel Films production. Knight is helming the project from a script by Chris Butler. The initial draft of the screenplay was penned by David Callaham, Aaron Nee, and Adam Nee. Mattel launched the Masters of the Universe franchise with a line of action figures that debuted in 1982. A year later, the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe premiered in syndication and was followed by video games and other merchandise. 'Masters of the Universe' has endured a particularly torturous, two-decade-plus journey to the big screen. The project was set up at Warner Bros. and Sony before moving to Netflix, which axed the film in 2023 over budget concerns. Countless directors, including 'Kung Fu Panda' filmmaker John Stevenson, 'Wicked' helmer Jon M. Chu, 'Charlie's Angels' filmmaker McG and 'The Lost City' duo Aaron and Adam Nee, have cycled through the movie since 2007. 'West Side Story' actor Kyle Allen was at one point attached to play He-Man; it's unclear when those talks fell apart. Plot details are being kept under wraps. According to a prior synopsis from the studio, 'Masters of the Universe' follows Prince Adam a.k.a. He-Man, who crashes to Earth in a spaceship as a child and, decades later, returns to his home planet to defend it from the evil forces of the baddie known as Skeletor. But in order to defeat the powerful villain, he needs to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man, referred to in this world as 'the most powerful man in the universe.' It is one of 15 live-action motion pictures in development — some more curious than others — at Mattel Films, including Daniel Kaluuya's 'Barney,' the Jennifer Lopez and Anthony Ramos animated 'Bob the Builder,' rapper Lil Yachty's heist thriller 'Uno' and Vin Diesel's 'Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.' Mattel's first and only film, so far, has been the billion-dollar blockbuster 'Barbie' for Warner Bros. 'Masters of the Universe' will be released in theaters on June 5, 2026.
See - Sada Elbalad
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Mattel's "Masters Of The Universe" Finds Its Sorceress & Fisto
Yara Sameh Amazon MGM's upcoming live-action film 'Masters of the Universe' has added Morena Baccarin in the role of The Sorceress and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson in the role of Malcolm/Fisto. The reimagining of the popular Mattel toy line has also cast Skeletor's coterie of henchmen with Sam C. Wilson ('House of the Dragon') starring as Trap Jaw; Kojo Attah ('The Beekeeper') playing Tri-Klops; and Hafthor Bjornsson ('Game of Thrones') as Goat Man. They'll join the previously cast Alison Brie ('Promising Young Woman') as Skeletor's lieutenant, Evil-Lyn; Camila Mendes ('Riverdale') as He-Man's trusted compatriot, Teela; and Idris Elba ('Hijack') as Teela's father, Man-at-Arms. 'Bumblebee' director Travis Knight is directing for the Escape Artists and Mattel Films production. Knight is helming the project from a script by Chris Butler. The initial draft of the screenplay was penned by David Callaham, Aaron Nee, and Adam Nee. Mattel launched the Masters of the Universe franchise with a line of action figures that debuted in 1982. A year later, the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe premiered in syndication and was followed by video games and other merchandise. 'Masters of the Universe' has endured a particularly torturous, two-decade-plus journey to the big screen. The project was set up at Warner Bros. and Sony before moving to Netflix, which axed the film in 2023 over budget concerns. Countless directors, including 'Kung Fu Panda' filmmaker John Stevenson, 'Wicked' helmer Jon M. Chu, 'Charlie's Angels' filmmaker McG and 'The Lost City' duo Aaron and Adam Nee, have cycled through the movie since 2007. 'West Side Story' actor Kyle Allen was at one point attached to play He-Man; it's unclear when those talks fell apart. Plot details are being kept under wraps. According to a prior synopsis from the studio, 'Masters of the Universe' follows Prince Adam a.k.a. He-Man, who crashes to Earth in a spaceship as a child and, decades later, returns to his home planet to defend it from the evil forces of the baddie known as Skeletor. But in order to defeat the powerful villain, he needs to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man, referred to in this world as 'the most powerful man in the universe.' It is one of 15 live-action motion pictures in development — some more curious than others — at Mattel Films, including Daniel Kaluuya's 'Barney,' the Jennifer Lopez and Anthony Ramos animated 'Bob the Builder,' rapper Lil Yachty's heist thriller 'Uno' and Vin Diesel's 'Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.' Mattel's first and only film, so far, has been the billion-dollar blockbuster 'Barbie' for Warner Bros. 'Masters of the Universe' will be released in theaters on June 5, 2026.
