{"id":35253,"date":"2023-07-27T18:09:25","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T16:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1864813"},"modified":"2023-07-28T02:54:01","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T00:54:01","slug":"do-we-have-a-mattel-cinematic-universe-barbie-creators-movies-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/do-we-have-a-mattel-cinematic-universe-barbie-creators-movies-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Do we have a Mattel Cinematic Universe? Barbie creators\u2019 movies explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s a new MCU in town… <\/p>

By Molly Moss\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 27 July 2023 at 16:09 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Bolstered by the success of Barbie<\/a>, Mattel is planning to transform more of its toy brands into feature-length films. <\/span><\/p>\n

Next on the slate is a movie about Polly Pocket, a popular line of dolls and accessories that was the brainchild of Bluebird Toys and acquired by Mattel in 1998, and it\u2019s set to star Emily in Paris<\/a> star Lily Collins as the \u201890s micro-doll sensation.<\/span><\/p>\n

And that\u2019s not all. It seems Barbie has kicked off a new MCU (Mattel Cinematic Universe), with 45 films in development based on Mattel\u2019s many toy brands, 14 of which have been announced \u2013 including American Girl, Magic 8 Ball, Uno, Wishbone, Thomas & Friends and Masters of the Universe.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2018, Mattel appointed Ynon Kreiz as the new chief executive, who envisioned a Mattel for the big screen, and it appears the sky is the limit.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, which other figurines and play sets has Mattel decided are ideal for tongue-in-cheek and irreverent \u2013\u00a0if Barbie<\/a>\u2019s tone was anything to go by, with its self-referential teasing \u2013 movie material?<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the 14 movies Mattel has in the works following Barbie<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polly Pocket\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Lily<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Lily Collins as Emily in Emily in Paris.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Emily in Paris star Lily Collins is set to star as the micro-doll in a family comedy based on Mattel\u2019s Polly Pocket, which will be helmed by Girls creator Lena Dunham<\/a>, who is also penning the script.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking to Variety<\/a>, executive vice president of Mattel Films Robbie <\/span>Brenner described Dunham\u2019s script for the movie as \u201cgreat\u201d, though she did not offer details on the storyline.<\/span><\/p>\n

Barney\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Back in 2018, Mattel announced they were working on a film based on the purple dinosaur\u2019s legacy, with actor Daniel Kaluuya\u2019s production company developing the movie.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Mattel executive Kevin McKeon revealed the upcoming \u201csurrealistic\u201d Barnie movie would be geared towards adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, speaking with Variety, Brenner<\/span>\u00a0has shared new details, promising <\/span>a story about \u201cidentity and finding who you love and who feels alienated\u201d which will feature \u201cadult themes \u2014 and sort of be a little bit off-kilter\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hot Wheels<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Speaking previously about the Hot Wheels movie, which has been in development for a few years, producer JJ Abrams previously promised an \u201cemotional and grounded and gritty\u201d adaptation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expanding on Abrams\u2019s promise, Brenner told Variety that viewers can expect \u201c<\/span>real characters that you can relate to, that are three-dimensional, that have emotional journeys\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

American Girl\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another movie on the horizon is American Girl, a family comedy based on the world of dolls that is designed to help girls grow with confidence and develop character, but little is known about the project beyond that at the time of writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Magic 8 Ball<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It was announced back in 2019 that Mattel and Blumhouse were joining forces to bring an adaptation based on the iconic Magic 8 Ball toy to the big screen, with Jeff Wadlow set to direct.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear whether Blumhouse or Wadlow are still on board but, according to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The New Yorker<\/span><\/a>, Jimmy Warden, the screenwriter of Cocaine Bear<\/a>, has penned the script.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the horror-comedy, Brenner recently<\/span> told the publication that \u201cwe\u2019re not going to make any rated-R movies\u201d, but added that the script does \u201cwalk the line a little bit\u201d.<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cWe\u2019re not going to make anything that feels violent, or that is alienating to families\u2026 We want to stay within the parameters of what Mattel is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rock \u2018Em Sock \u2018Em Robots<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"VIN<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Vin Diesel in Fast Five.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Not much is known about the Rock \u2018Em Sock \u2018Em Robots movie at this stage, but we do know that Vin Diesel<\/a> will star in the film based on Mattel\u2019s tabletop game of battling robots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Universal is set to produce the project, while screenwriter Ryan Engle will be working on the script.<\/span><\/p>\n

Masters of the Universe<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A live-action movie based on He-Man and a slew of other popular Mattel toys has had numerous homes over the years, with <\/span>Mattel now reportedly looking for a buyer for the project after Netflix recently pulled the plug, according to Variety<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision to scrap the film reportedly came down to budget concerns, the publication reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kyle Allen (American Horror Story, The Path) was most recently cast to play He-Man, <\/span>replacing the previously cast Noah Centineo, while t<\/span>he Nee Brothers were set to direct and co-write the script with David Callaham.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uno<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, little is known about the movie based on the top-performing card game in the world at this point in time.<\/span><\/p>\n

During a recent interview with The New Yorker<\/a>, screenwriter Marcy Kelly explained that the movie was originally supposed to be a heist film.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy reaction was the reaction that everybody has, which is, \u2018<\/span>What<\/span>?\u2019 The first draft that I sent in was \u2018f**k\u2019-heavy,\u201d she explained. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was something like fifty pages, and then the next draft had one. I got my one, well-placed, PG-13 \u2018f**k\u2019. They\u2019ve been open to so many kinds of unexpected ideas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wishbone<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Wishbone will be making the jump to the big screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was first announced back in 2020 that Mattel Films and Universal Pictures were developing a live-action movie based on the hit \u201890s TV series Wishbone about a Jack Russell Terrier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Major Matt Mason<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Tom<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Tom Hanks as Otto Anderson in A Man Called Otto.<\/span><\/figcaption> Sony<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Major Matt Mason was first announced back in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom Hanks is set to star in the project as the Mattel astronaut action figure from the 1960s who lives and works on the moon, while Akiva Goldsman and Michael Chabon have been hired to pen the screenplay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matchbox<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another Mattel toy product racing off the shelves and onto the big screen is Matchbox \u2013 a series of diecast vehicle models that can fit inside a matchbox.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project was first announced in 2022, with Brenner saying at the time:<\/span> \u201cFor nearly 70 years, Matchbox has carried enormous cultural relevance and inspired generations of kids to unleash their imaginations, combining what they see in the world every day with what they dream their own world to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added: \u201cWe look forward to working with our incredible partners at Skydance Media to craft a story for the big screen that evokes the same imaginative spirit of this beloved Mattel franchise and delights fans of all ages.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas & Friends<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A fantasy film based on the children\u2019s animated train series Thomas & Friends will also be coming to the screen, with Mattel and production company 2Dux teaming up for the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

The movie was first announced in 2020, with director Marc Forster (World War Z) attached to helm and co-produce alongside <\/span>Ren\u00e9e Wolfe, co-founder and co-CEO of 2Dux.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas is a beloved global franchise that focuses on the importance of friendship, a theme that resonates deeply with children and parents around the world,\u201d said Brenner at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarc is an incredible storyteller and I look forward to partnering with him to tell Thomas\u2019s story in a modern and unexpected way.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

View Master<\/strong><\/h2>\n

An adventure film based on Mattel\u2019s View-Master toy line will also be coming to the big screen courtesy of Mattel and MGM.<\/span><\/p>\n

View-Master is a stereoscopic eye device, which was first launched at 1939 New York World\u2019s Fair and later acquired by Mattel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project was first announced in 2019, with Brenner revealing in a statement: <\/span>\u201cSince the 1940s, <\/span>View-Master<\/span> has inspired wonder and joy in children of all ages, creating huge opportunities for storytelling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added: \u201cMGM Pictures has tremendous expertise and a proven track record in capturing audiences\u2019 imagination through film, and we\u2019re proud to be partnering with them to bring another Mattel franchise to theaters. This marks another important milestone as we transform Mattel into an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas Balloon<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One movie Mattel has lined up won\u2019t actually focus on one of their toy products \u2013 but rather a true story.<\/span><\/p>\n

The family drama will follow a young girl, <\/span>D\u00e1yami, who tries to send her Christmas list to Santa tied to a balloon.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the balloon is found by a grieving couple, they work with the toy company to make the girl\u2019s dreams come true.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMuch like D\u00e1yami\u2019s balloon itself, the journey of this touching story and Mattel\u2019s direct role in fulfilling her real-life wishes made it a must-do for us,\u201d said Kevin McKeon, VP of <\/span>Mattel Films, at the time of the movie\u2019s announcement back in 2021<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were immediately struck by this little girl\u2019s spirit and the story\u2019s positive message. We also knew there was no one better to tell her story with passion and sensitivity than Gabriela [Revilla Lugo, writer]. We are proud to work with her, along with Vital Pictures, to bring this touching family drama to audiences around the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Barbie is now showing in UK cinemas. <\/strong>Visit our Film<\/a> hub for more news and features or find something to watch tonight with<\/strong> our <\/strong>TV Guide<\/a> and Streaming Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only \u00a31 with delivery to your home \u2013 <\/strong>subscribe now<\/strong><\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to <\/strong>The Radio Times Podcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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