LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Barney the Dinosaur’ announcement featuring Daniel Kaluuya was a surprise for many fans. The movie based on the popular ‘90s children’s television show had many guessing what to expect.
"That one is getting a lot of reaction," said Mattel's CEO Ynon Kreiz. "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," he added.
What's next from Mattel Films?
The production house has announced to bring feature-film versions of projects such as 'Barney,' 'Polly Pocket' and 'UNO,' among others, to the theaters.
"It will not be an odd movie," he earlier said, adding “We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids.”
"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," he continued.
When was ‘Barney the Dinosaur’ first introduced?
Barney was presented by the PBS children's series 'Barney & Friends', which initially aired from 1992 to 2009. Recent stars like stars like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and Jaren Lewison of ‘Never Have I Ever’ made it big on the program.
McLeon told The New Yorker in July, "A 24-type movie. Kaluuya, 34, is expected to produce the movie through his company 59% and star in an unspecified role."
The man himself commented in June, "I ask for high standards on anything that I work on, and I'm producing this one, so it's still in development."
“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," he added, reports People.
Curious fans also reacted to Mattel CEO’s statement, "I'm curious to see what they come up with," said one. "I wanted it to be about the guys life who was inside the costume. There's some stories out there about him," added another. "That makes me think....it will be an odd movie. Im all for it," a user wrote. One fan questioned, "It's a movie about a singing purple dinosaur who hangs out with kids all day. How could it not be at least a LITTLE odd?" A fan suggested, "Something like this should be odd. Also make barney an actual dino, xD"
