This is how I learned that Lily Collins is set to star in Lena Dunham’s take on Polly Pocket…
Though Greta Gerwig may have declined a Barbie sequel, Mattel isn’t shying away from exploring other film ventures.
Thanks to insights from Variety and the New Yorker, we have a clearer picture of the films Mattel is churning out.
Barney
Ambiance: Dreamlike with an “A24” touch.
Key Personnel: Daniel Kaluuya in a producer role.
Insider Scoop: Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner shared with Variety, “It won’t necessarily be dark but rather distinctive. Think along the lines of Being John Malkovich or Adaptation.”
Polly Pocket
Ambiance: Heartwarming family comedy.
Key Personnel: Lily Collins in the lead role and Lena Dunham directing and writing.
Insider Scoop: The script exists, and Brenner vouches it’s “fantastic.”
Hot Wheels
Ambiance: Authentic and intense.
Key Personnel: J.J. Abrams as producer.
Insider Scoop: Brenner mentions the presence of “real, three-dimensional characters.” And yes, there will be cars, including what seemed at first like genuine truck monsters.
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Ambiance: Yet to be determined.
Key Personnel: Vin Diesel, both in front of the camera and behind as a producer.
Insider Scoop: A 2021 Deadline article described it as a tale of “a father and son connecting through a sophisticated war robot.”
American Girl
Ambiance: Think Booksmart is colliding with Bill & Ted.
Key Personnel: Not announced yet.
Insider Scoop: The plot orbits around the doll universe.
Magic 8 Ball
Ambiance: A mix of horror and comedy.
Key Personnel: Jimmy Warden, the writer behind Cocaine Bear, is penning the script.
Insider Scoop: Brenner shared with the New Yorker that it might touch upon R-rated content.
Masters of the Universe
Ambiance: Action-packed adventure.
Key Personnel: Kyle Allen was once the anticipated He-Man, but that’s yet to be confirmed.
Insider Scoop: Despite investing $30 million, Netflix let this go.
Major Matt Mason
Ambiance: Adult drama reminiscent of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Key Personnel: Tom Hanks in the lead, with a script from Akiva Goldsman of The Da Vinci Code fame.
Insider Scoop: Drawing inspiration from a Michael Chabon short story, Mattel Films VP Kevin McKeon mentions, “It’s profound, prompting queries about existence and our cosmic role.”
Uno
Ambiance: Likely not within Atlanta’s vibrant hip-hop community or a heist setting.
Key Personnel: Currently unannounced.
Insider Scoop: An initial script by Marcy Kelly portrayed a heist in Atlanta but was eventually shelved.
View-Master
Ambiance: Wholesome family escapade.
Key Personnel: Yet to be revealed.
Insider Scoop: The film will incorporate elements of VR.
Matchbox
Ambiance: High-octane action.
Key Personnel: No names have been disclosed yet.
Insider Scoop: Brenner reportedly influenced the antagonist’s character. The development process included a week-long brainstorm with the play sets in focus.
Thomas & Friends
Key Personnel: Marc Forster, known for World War Z and Quantum of Solace, will helm the project.
Insider Scoop: The film will blend live-action with animated sequences.
As Mattel takes us on a cinematic ride through nostalgia and innovation, audiences worldwide eagerly anticipate these adaptations. This lineup promises a diverse range of entertainment from family comedies to thought-provoking dramas. Keep an eye on theatres and streaming platforms alike – the toys are coming to life, and with such illustrious names attached, they’re bound to make a lasting impression.
