The Barney live-action movie is in the works at A24 and Mattel Films, and they found a perfect person to lead this project. The Bear star Ayo Edebiri is in talks to write the screenplay for this high-profile project, in addition to playing one of the key roles.
The live-action adaptation of Barney is being co-developed by A24, Mattel Films, and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions. Despite being credited as one of producers, Kaluuya isn’t expected to star in the film. Robbie Brenner serves as producer for Mattel Films with A24, while Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell are overseeing the project for Mattel.
This live-action reboot will draw inspiration from the beloved children’s television series Barney & Friends, which ran on PBS from 1992 to 2010. It centered on a friendly and optimistic tyrannosaurus rex Barney, who teaches kids important lessons about friendship through song and dance.
Ayo Edebiri rose to prominence with the role in the hit culinary dramedy The Bear, which won her multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She also led the acclaimed teen comedy Bottoms, voiced hit animated movies Inside Out 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and will soon appear in the thriller Opus opposite John Malkovich and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt.
