It seems the much-talked-about Barney the Dinosaur movie, with Daniel Kaluuya at the helm, might soon see The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri joining as both a star and a writer. In a world where every conceivable intellectual property is being reimagined or rebooted, perhaps none seems more “alright, why not?” than Barney. Revealed back in 2019, Kaluuya’s 59% Productions has teamed up with Mattel Films and Valparaiso Pictures to bring this live-action adaptation to life. It’s been described as a “surrealistic” film with an A24 vibe, yet not “strange,” which, let’s be honest, is a bit contradictory—but hey, we’re intrigued. According to Variety, Edebiri is being considered for a role in the film, and she’s also contributing to the script.
Currently, Edebiri is still in negotiation stages for her on-screen role, and unfortunately, plot details are still under wraps. But given her creative reputation, it’s exciting to imagine where this project could go. Kevin McKeon, an executive at Mattel Films, mentioned previously that the movie will dive into the “Millennial angst” surrounding Barney, aiming to resonate with adults rather than fine-tuning it purely for children. It’s said to explore themes relevant to thirty-somethings who grew up with Barney, capturing a sense of generational disillusionment.
This concept doesn’t come across as a terrible idea. After all, the recent Barbie movie managed to hit the mark by tapping into the cultural significance of its titular toy. However, whether Barney will achieve similar success and recognition is still a question mark. Truthfully, my biggest concern is seeing a trailer that features a melancholy remix of the iconic theme song. Let’s skip that cliché, shall we?
