The children's-icon-to-blockbuster pipeline has a new focus, and this time, it's Barney.
While no one has been able to recreate the hysteria that was Barbie just a few years ago (RIP Lena Dunham's Polly Pocket, you would've been amazing), we have a feeling that this latest attempt might just give it a run for its money. You see, on board to write (and hopefully star) in the Barney film is none other than Ayo Edebiri.
Plans for the film were actually announced way back in 2019 — about four decades after the first Barney & Friends episode ever aired on PBS. The show, which famously launched the careers of the likes of Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, began its 14-season run in 1988. But according to Mattel Films, excluding the big purple dinosaur at the centre of it all, the film won't have a whole lot in common with the original children's series. Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films, said it will “take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations.”
We'd guess that, in large part, this has to do with Edebiri's involvement. The actress has made a hit out of just about every project she's been involved in, from the higher stakes of The Bear, to flexing her comedic chops in Theatre Camp, and Bottoms. She's also dabbled in childrens' films, recently voicing Envy on Inside Out 2, and is gearing up for the release of Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt, which she stars in alongside Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. Even better, A24 are on board co-develop and produce the film, alongside Daniel Kaluuya's 59% Productions, and Mattel Films.
So, what will the Barney film actually be about?
Unfortunately, details on exactly how the Barney film will unfold are pretty scarce. At this stage, it's just as possible that the film could centre around someone in the OG purple Barney suit, as it is that Barney could be reimagined as an actual human. Your guess is as good as ours.
Who is starring in Barney?
As mentioned, Edebiri is in talks to star in the project, but this is yet to be confirmed. Similarly, Daniel Kaluuya (who starred in Get Out and Nope, to name a few) is only on board in a producer capacity, but we'd love to see him act again.
