Get ready to have your childhood shattered because Mattel is taking a deep dive into the world of millennial angst with their latest project: Barney the big purple dinosaur.
According to a New Yorker profile, Mattel executive Kevin McKeon is particularly excited about the upcoming Barney film. He envisions it as a “surrealistic, A24-style production” that taps into the millennials’ ongoing “trials and tribulations.”
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” McKeon 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 thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation. It would be so daring of us, and really underscore that we’re here to make art.”
To add some star power to this project, Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya is on board. Kaluuya, known for his talent both in front of and behind the camera, wants to step into the director’s chair with his production company, 59% Productions. He’s been working on the Barney film since 2019, and it’s still in the early stages of development.
“Barney taught us, ‘I love you, you love me. Won’t you say you love me too?’” Kaluuya said. “That’s one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn’t true? I thought that was really heartbreaking. I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense. It feels like there’s something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic. Especially at this time now, I think that’s really, really needed.”
From existential Barbie to millennial angst Barney, it’s clear Mattel isn’t just playing with toys; they have something to say. And with 45 projects currently in the works, they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
