Magnificent Transformation: Mattel's CEO Ynon Kreiz Promises a Spectacular Revival for Daniel Kaluuya's 'Barney' Movie
Mattel's CEO, Ynon Kreiz, assures fans that the upcoming film 'Barney,' starring Daniel Kaluuya, will defy expectations and not be labeled as 'odd' as suggested by Mattel Film executive Kevin McKeon's surreal claims
In an interview with Semafor magazine on Saturday, September 30, Mattel's CEO Ynon Kreiz addressed the upcoming Barney movie, emphasizing that while specific details are still under wraps, the company is committed to a fresh and enjoyable approach that embraces cultural relevance. Kreiz assured readers that the movie would not be peculiar or unusual.
Kreiz's remarks follow Kevin McKeon's statement that the upcoming Barney movie, scheduled for release in 2024, will have a "surrealistic" tone. McKeon, who is an executive at Mattel Films, described the film as being similar to movies produced by A24 and targeted towards millennials. In an interview with The New Yorker in July, McKeon, age 55, explained that the movie will focus more on adults rather than children, exploring the challenges and disillusionment experienced by those who grew up with Barney during their thirties.
Daniel Kaluuya, the producer and star of the Barney movie, announced the project in October 2019. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 34-year-old actor expressed his excitement to delve into the story of Barney - a beloved figure from our childhoods who vanished and was often misunderstood. Kaluuya hopes to explore this contemporary hero and examine whether his timeless message of "I love you, you love me" still resonates today.
In October 2020, Kaluuya expressed his motivation for bringing Barney to life in the new Mattel film. He highlighted the impact of Barney's message of love and the heartbreak when that love is absent. Kaluuya found this unexpected poignancy both heartbreaking and optimistic, seeing it as particularly relevant and necessary in the current time.
Kaluuya provided an update on the film in June, which has been in development since 2019.
“I think it's important to have a strong script for the project. Currently, it is still in the development stage, and since I am also producing it, I hold it to high standards,” he stated during an interview with Yahoo UK.
The children's television series Barney & Friends first aired on PBS in 1992 and ran for 18 years until 2010. The show received numerous accolades, including 14 Daytime Emmy Award nominations. Given the success of the Barbie movie, released earlier this summer, it is likely that Mattel is interested in bringing the beloved purple dinosaur back to the big screen. Greta Gerwig's Barbie film, featuring Margot Robbie as the lead character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, had a remarkable opening weekend, grossing $162 million. This made it the highest-grossing opening weekend of 2023 and the most successful three-day opening for a toy-based movie.
Following the success of the film, Mattel has exciting plans for their brand with a lineup of upcoming films. This includes J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated Hot Wheels, set to be released in June 2025. Joining the roster is Lena Dunham's Polly Pocket, featuring the talented Lily Collins. Akiva Goldsman's Major Matt Mason, Dan Mazer's Big Jim, Marc Forster's Thomas & Friends, and Robbie Brenner's American Girl are also part of this incredible cinematic undertaking.
