Ayo Edebiri. Chris Haston/Hit Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection
Following the success of 2023’s Barbie, another beloved childhood character is coming to life on the big screen.
A live-action movie based on the children’s series Barney & Friends is currently in the works. Announced in 2019, the project will be coproduced by Mattel Films, A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions.
“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner said in an October 2019 press release. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”
The iconic purple dinosaur first hit TV screens in 1988 on the direct-to-video series Barney & the Backyard Gang. The character became a household name with PBS’ Barney & Friends, which ran for 14 seasons from 1992 to 2010.
Scroll down for everything you need to know about the upcoming Barney movie:
Who Will Star in the ‘Barney’ Movie?
In February 2025, it was announced that Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri will write the screenplay for the film and was also in talks to star. Details about her potential character were not revealed. At the time, Variety reported that Kaluuya will not appear in the film despite his role as a producer.
What Is the Plot of the ‘Barney’ Movie?
Plot details about the upcoming film have not been revealed. However, Mattel Films vice president Kevin McKeon told The New Yorker in July 2023 that the film will be “surrealistic” — and not intended for children.
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids. It’s really a play for adults,” he explained. “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.”
McKeon added that the movie will have “A24-type” vibes, referring to the independent entertainment company that’s produced shows like Euphoria and movies including Everything Everywhere All At Once, Midsommar and more.
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What Has Daniel Kaluuya Said About the ‘Barney’ Movie?
Daniel Kaluuya at the premiere of “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” Fati Sadou/ABACAPRESS.COM/Shutterstock
“My last number of films have been so aligned to kind of what I stand for as a man. But there are a whole lot of things that I do as a man. I love kids’ films,” the Get Out actor told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2022. “How did everyone get into films? Watching kids’ films. I don’t want to restrict myself to the limitations of what I’m perceived as.”
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