Get Out and Black Panther star Daniel Kaluuya is teaming with Mattel Films to bring the purple dinosaur Barney to the big screen with a new live-action movie, THR has revealed.
“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” said Kaluuya. “We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”
“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” added Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”
Created by Sheryl Leach, Barney starred in the long-running children’s TV series Barney & Friends, which was produced between 1992 and 2002. A theatrical movie, Barney’s Great Adventure, was released in 1998.
Barney joins a growing slate of projects at the recently-formed Mattel Films, which is also working on feature adaptations of Masters of the Universe, Barbie and Hot Wheels.
