A live-action movie about Barney the big purple dinosaur has been in development for a few years. I actually forgot it was happening until this recent report surfaced. The film stars Nope and Black Panther star Daniel Kaluuya, and according to Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon, the film is going to be geared more towards adults and it will tap into millennial angst. During an interview with The New Yorker, he said:
“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.”
When previously talking about the movie, Kaluuya shared that he thought the idea of Barney’s story could be heartbreaking as well as timely. he said:
“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. 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.”
They are definitely taking the film in a different direction than I was expecting, but I still don’t have any interest in watching it. But, there are a ton of people that grew up on the show that will be.
Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films had this to say in a previous statement: “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.”
David Carrico of Valparaiso Pictures went on to say: “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,”
What are you thoughts on the direction that the creative team is taking this movie?
via The Wrap
