Yes, you read the title right. Barney the Dinosaur is getting a new live-action movie from horror studio A24, with Ayo Edebiri to write and potentially star.
Variety reported that this movie will be “co-developed and produced by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions.” The studios will partner with Mattel Films, the Barney the Dinosaur IP owner. Though plot details are currently scarce, the film is believed “to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations.”
Mattel’s Confounding Statements
In 2023, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz explained that this movie will be “a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining, and culturally oriented.” This statement was made after Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon described the movie as “surrealistic.”
Barney the Dinosaur and BJ Bop – YouTube, Barney the Dinosaur
“We’re leaning into the Millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” said McKeon. “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.”
Despite this, Kreiz insisted that this take on Barney the Dinosaur “will not be an odd movie.”
Moreover, Mattel’s chief franchise officer Josh Silverman insisted that the movie will differ from the current animated Barney the Dinosaur TV show. Despite this, he still noted that the “television and films teams work very well together.”
Baby Bop from Barney – YouTube, Barney the Dinosaur
“We want to have a clear narrative,” he said. “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.”
“Subverting Expectations” Never Ends Well
Even without all the mixed messaging, the phrase “subvert expectations” is already a colossal red flag. Time and again, Hollywood has chosen to use this method of scripting in current-day films. Most, if not all, of the time, it results in poor reception for the film. The best and most notable example is Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, which at this point needs no further explanation.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker contemplates murdering his nephew Ben Solo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Lucasfilm
Moreover, having a horror studio involved will likely produce a similar result to Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.
People who grew up with Barney the Dinosaur should expect another aspect of their childhoods to be ruined.
Ayo Edebiri’s Involvement
Ayo Edebiri, currently an actress on The Bear, has been revealed as the screenwriter for this Barney movie. She is also in talks to star. Her credits include The Bear, Inside Out 2 and Big Mouth—as well as Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, wherein she voiced the race-swapped April O’Neil.
L-r, APRIL O’NEIL, RAPH, LEO, DONNIE, MIKEY in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and NICKELODEON MOVIES Present A POINT GREY Production “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM”
The last is the most noteworthy in this case. During that film’s press releases, Edebiri told Collider that she enjoyed voicing the “new version” of April.
“I think the fact that she’s like a journalist, that she’s got this friendship and this bond with them and is such an iconic character to people. A lot of people have much fondness for her, a lot of first crushes. But I love how this iteration has so much agency and is her own person, and having her own goals. Knowing that, she feels that in tandem with the turtles. She has her own goals, she has her own drive. She wants to crack a story. But she realizes throughout the journey of the movie also how her friendship with these little turtle freaks is.”
While there is no harm in enjoying playing a character, Edebiri made no comments about April being race-swapped. That was what upset most TMNT fans.
Barnet and Friends Sing the Famous “I Love You, You Love Me” Song – YouTube, Barney The Dinosaur
For now, though, there is too little information to speculate how her involvement will affect the Barney film.
Final Thoughts
Given that most childhood memories are lately becoming horror films, adding Barney the Dinosaur to the roster isn’t too surprising. Perhaps it is best for now to use your imagination and pretend it doesn’t exist.
What do you think about this modernized Barney movie? Let us know in the comments!
