A certain purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex who resides in all our imaginations is getting the big screen treatment.
Friday, Mattel Inc. and production companies Valparaiso Pictures and Daniel Kaluuya's 59% announced the development of a live-action movie based on Barney & Friends main character Barney. In a statement, Mattel's Robbie Brenner said the collaboration with Kaluuya promises to "surprise audiences and subvert expectations" while catering to new fans and the nostalgia of their parents, who no doubt have memories of the original series that premiered on PBS back in 1992.
"Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood," Kaluuya said in a press release. "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."
David Carrico of Valparaiso Pictures echoed Kaluuya's "I love you" shout-out, vowing to get the catchiness-laden track implanted into our minds.
"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," he said.
No word yet on a target production kickoff date or a release schedule, though it's safe to say this will likely prove successful for Mattel and their collaborators.
Mattel Films also several other equally nostalgia-driven films in development, including cinematic takes on Hot Wheels and Barbie. The latter, as previously reported, will be directed by Lady Bird's Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie. The film will be co-penned by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
