After his fantastic starring performance in 2017’s Get Out and his compelling turn as the conflicted W’Kabi in 2018’s Black Panther, we would have said Daniel Kaluuya can pretty much do any project he wants and we’ll want line up to see it. Now, that theory is really going to be put to the test. Well, at least it will be for those of us who don’t have any small children and have been trying to get a certain song unstuck from our head the last 25 years. The Oscar-nominated actor is going to produce a movie about the beloved purple dinosaur Barney. And, even more excitingly, rising star The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri is set to write the live-action Barney movie and maybe even star in it.
Kaluuya and his new production company 59% is teaming up with Mattel Films and Valparaiso Pictures to produce a live-action film based on the popular kid’s television show character. The latest news about the movie reveals that joining him on the film is Ayo Edebiri. Edebiri is set to write the screenplay and is in talks to star in the Barney movie as well. Sources indicate that Kaluuya has no plans to act in the movie at this time.
PBS Kids
Many know that the big purple dino promoted friendship, kindness, and togetherness via singing and dancing on the long-running Barney and Friends, which ran 14 seasons and 268 episodes from 1992 to 2009.
And while this might seem like an unlikely move for one of Hollywood’s best young actors, Kaluuya explained in a statement announcing the movie why he thinks it’s important to bring back the character for a new generation. “Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” he said, “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.”
Stand the test of time? Just reading those lyrics already has that song stuck in our heads (where it will live for-freaking-ever). New movie or not we’ll never be able to forget Barney because of it.
It’s not hard to understand why any studio would want to be involved with Kaluuya after his last couple of years, but Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner said in a statement he thinks Kaluuya will be able to help tell a new kind of Barney story that appeals to all ages. “Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations. The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.” Ayo Edebiri also brings an incredible amount of talent to the table, and she and Kaluuya are unlikely to create anything less than excellence.
We also bet it helps Mattel is going to be able to sell about a gazillion toys to go along with the movie. Because while Barney can teach us about loving one another he can also teach us about capitalism.
Mattel Films has been busy since it released the overwhelming hit Barbie, starring Margot Robbie. And we know the studio hopes to do it again. Also producing Barney are 59%’s Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow, as well as Valparaiso Picture’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, and Bobby Hoppey. Mattle’s Kevin McKeon will oversee the project.
So, will those of us without small children hold to our promise to see anything Daniel Kaluuya is involved in? Probably. We love him and we love Barney. Plus, we know that purple dino loves us too.
Featured Image: PBS Kids/Universal Pictures
Originally published on October 18, 2019.
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