Barney Live-Action Movie in the Works

Mattel has joined forces with the production companies 59% and Valparaiso Pictures to develop a live-action motion picture based on Barney, its iconic purple dinosaur.

Mattel Films will co-produce Barney alongside the Academy Award-nominated Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Black Panther), Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow at 59% and Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey. Kevin McKeon will guide the project for Mattel Films.

Barney joins a long list of other Mattel Films projects in development that includes ones based on Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, American Girl, View Master, Magic 8 Ball and Major Matt Mason.

Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner said: “Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations. The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults while entertaining today’s kids.”

Kaluuya said: “Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood. We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”

Carrico added: “Barney is a dinosaur from our imagination, and we can’t wait to get ‘I love you, you love me’ stuck in heads everywhere, yet again.”