Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya is developing a new movie based on Barney the Dinosaur, but it will be nothing like you think.
In February of 2023, Mattel announced a revamp of the Barney franchise which will include new toys, a new television series and a new movie.
While Barney and Friends is one of the most beloved children's shows of all time, the new movie will actually be aimed at an adult audience. It will be surrealistic, akin to Being John Malkovich or Adaptation, according to Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon.
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” he told The New Yorker.
“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.”
Kaluuya is set to produce the movie, though the extent of his involvement in front or behind the camera isn't clear as of yet. Still, it seems this project is one that could get quite emotional for him.
“Barney taught us, ‘I love you, you love me. Won’t you say you love me too?’ That’s one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn’t true? I thought that was really heartbreaking,” Kaluuya told Entertainment Weekly.
"“I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense. It feels like there’s something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic. Especially at this time now, I think that’s really, really needed.”
Barney's Great Adventure (1998)
Children Cody and Abby are abandoned by their mean parents on their grandparents' farm. They are bored at first, but the mood changes when Barney, the purple dinosaur, shows up. Together they search for an egg left by a shooting star somewhere nearby.
Directed by: Steve Gomer
Stars:
George Hearn, Shirley Douglas and Bob West
Barney movie won't be odd
All this talk of angst, surrealism and heartbreak has led many fans to speculate that this will be a weird movie, but apparently it won't be...
"That one is getting a lot of reaction," Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said, in reference to the comments made by his colleague.
"It's too early to be specific, but I can tell you we are taking a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining and culturally oriented. It will not be an odd movie."
Related Movie
Barney's Great Adventure
Family
1998 • 76 minutes
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