Everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur just grew up.
Toy company Mattel revealed Sunday that its upcoming “Barney” film will be geared more toward adults than children, according to the New Yorker.
Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon told the publication that the movie will be “surrealistic.”
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” McKeon, 38, said. “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 30-something, growing up with Barney — just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”
McKeon also described it as an “A24-type” movie.
“It would be so daring of us, and really underscore that we’re here to make art,” he added.
Announced in 2019, much of the film’s plot still remains shrouded in mystery. But “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya has been attached to the project as a producer.
“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” Kaluuya, 34, said after the film was announced. “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.”
Since then there have been scant updates on the movie’s progress.
“The scripts gotta be good, you know what I mean? It’s in development,” Kaluuya continued. “I ask for high standards on anything that I work on, and I’m producing this one, so it’s still in development.”
Mattel executives announced in February that the childhood icon would be getting a complete overhaul and would sing his way back to television screens in 2024.
“Barney’s message of love and kindness has stood the test of time,” said Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer and global head of consumer products at Mattel. “We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products and experiences.”
According to the company, the reboot will feature the dinosaur alongside pals from his ’90s “Barney and Friends” TV show, which ended its run in 2010. The new series will “introduce new audiences to the world of Barney through music-filled adventures centered on love, community and encouragement,” according to an official description.
The update on “Barney” comes as Mattel gears up for the highly anticipated release of “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as one version of Ken.
No target release date for “Barney” has been announced while “Barbie” is set to roller skate into theaters July 21.
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