Remember a few eld back , when movie fan shared a collective gasp over the really bizarre news that indie darlingGreta Gerwig was going to maketheBarbiemovie ? This is sort of that same feeling . We already experience that Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya , hotshot ofBlack PantherandGet Out , would be involve inMattel ’s big - screenBarneyadaptation ; he ’s been part of itsince 2019 . But the former name to room the project has us even more intrigued : Ayo Edebiri ofThe Bear , Bottoms , andInside Out 2 .
Oh , also , Barneyis snuff it to be an A24 moving-picture show ? I lie with you , you love me , andyou have my care . According to a press release shared today , Edebiri is not only in talks to asterisk alongside Kaluuya in the alive - natural action movie , she ’d also be writing the script . The film is a co - product of Mattel Films , Kaluuya ’s 59 % Productions , and A24 .
There are no further updates beyond Ediberi joining Team Purple Dinosaur , though the outlet does cue us that Barney the character has been around since 1988 ( the PBS seriesBarney & Friendsended in 2010 ) , and promises that “ Mattel Films ’ visual sense is to collaborate with leading filmmakers to make standout caliber picture found on our iconic brand that will vibrate in civilisation and attract to global audience . ”

© Rachell Smith
With Gerwig so far seemingly loath to make a follow - up to the billion - dollarBarbie , it seems potential the companionship seesBarneyas another way to give that sweet spot of criticalandbox - power succeeder . While there are no details about Edebiri ’s script , we do screw she has a strong background signal in drollery writing ( her bona fides include the brain - melting “ Private School ” instalment ofWhat We Do in the Shadows ) .
And we ’ve had some breadcrumb over the twelvemonth as to what to expect fromBarney , though of form Edebiri will be bestow her own revenue stamp to it . In 2019 , pre - Barbie , Kaluuya notedthat “ Barney was a omnipresent build in many of our childhood , then he disappeared into the shadows , left misunderstood . We ’re excited to research this compelling modern - day Italian sandwich and see if his message of ‘ I love you , you bang me ’ can stand the trial of time . ”
Then , in 2023 , post - Barbie , the CEO of Mattelpromised that“It will not be an odd motion picture . I can tell you we are study a refreshing glide slope that will be fun , entertaining , and culturally oriented . ” This curious instruction came a few months after Mattel execs tease thatBarneywould “ lean into the millennial angst ” of the property that will “ concentrate on some of the trials and trial of being thirtysomething , originate up with Barney – just the degree of disillusionment within the generation , ” as well as making comparisons to more meta , surreal , and inventive films likeBeing John MalkovichorAdaptation .

Or … Barbie ? There ’s no word yet on whenBarneymight hit theaters , but we ’re hope for both “ odd”and“fun , entertaining , and culturally tailor . ” What are your idea on this latestBarneydevelopment ?
Want more io9 news show ? Check out when to gestate the latestMarvel , Star Wars , andStar Trekreleases , what ’s next for theDC Universe on film and TV , and everything you necessitate to know about the future ofDoctor Who .
A24Ayo EdebiriBarneyDaniel KaluuyaMattel

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