Live-Action BARNEY Movie Taps Emmy Winner to Write and Possibly Star in Project
By Movieguide® Contributor
THE BEAR actress Ayo Edebiri has officially been tapped to write the script for the upcoming live-action BARNEY movie and is in talks to join the cast.
Edebiri, who won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance on THE BEAR, is known more as an actress these days, but she has an impressive writing resume, with credits on comedies like BIG MOUTH, DICKINSON and WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS.
The movie, announced in 2019, will be co-produced by A24 and Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya’s production company, 59% Productions. Mattel Films is also on board.
“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” Kaluuya said of the project. “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.”
READ MORE: UPCOMING BARNEY MOVIE WILL BE A PLAY FOR ADULTS
Details about the BARNEY movie plot have been kept under wraps, but in a 2023 interview with Semafor, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said, “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.”
“It will not be an odd movie,” he added.
In a 2024 interview with Variety, Mattel chief franchise officer Josh Silverman elaborated on the project and how it relates to the recent BARNEY reboot series, an animated show titled BARNEY’S WORLD.
“Our television and films teams work very well together,” he explained. “We’re very much hand in glove and in concert.”
Silverman added, “We want to have a clear narrative. In the case here, the BARNEY film will be what it’s ultimately going to be, and this show, we felt that, we want to remain consistent to the authenticity. That’s really, really important. If it’s not authentic, we’re not going to do it. We want to remain consistent to the authenticity, the DNA of BARNEY, but we also want to modernize.”
READ MORE: BARNEY MAKES HIS COMEBACK IN NEW SHOW
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