Care Bears are back! Deadline reports director Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Strays) will helm a new take on the iconic kids’ IP.
The Care Bears originated as multi-colored bears, created in 1981 by artist Elena Kucharik for use on greeting cards by American Greetings. They were later turned into plush teddy bears, becoming a must-have toy. They became a kids’ entertainment staple with the animated specials “The Care Bears in the Land Without Feelings” and “The Care Bears Battle the Freeze Machine” before headlining their television series, “Care Bears,” from 1985 to 1988.
1985 saw the release of The Care Bears Movie, which generated over $34 million in worldwide sales and set a box-office record for Canadian and non-Disney animation. It has remained one of Goldwyn’s largest-earning releases. The Care Bears Movie received mixed reviews upon release, but soon became a beloved staple for a generation of kids.
Good Fear’s Chris Bender and Jake Weiner will produce this new film alongside GoldDay’s Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. Sean Gorman and Daniel Barne from Cloudco, the rights holder, will executive produce alongside Sheila Walcott, who will oversee for Warner Bros.
Greenbaum is fresh off the award-winning documentary Will & Harper. Next up on his docket is reportedly a new Spaceballs movie.
