Turning toys and games into movies is no new deal. Dodgeball: An Underdog Story, Transformers, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra have come and gone, with movies based on Battleship, Stretch Armstrong, Clue, Candy Land, Ouiji, Monopoly, and others still on the way. Adding to the party, Universal Pictures has announced that they have plans to take the legendary Barbie and turn her into a live-action movie, as well.
As crazy as these announcements always sound, this decision is a no-brainer, really. As her maker Mattel states, the toy celebrity has 99% worldwide brand awareness. You don’t have to be Good Will Hunting to know that’s pretty strong. The question here really is: what do you actually DO for a Barbie movie? The current plan to get going on finding some writers to take it on, but producer Laurence Mark isn’t worried, explaining that Barbie has had over 120 jobs over her 50-year existence, which opens the door to countless choices.
Here’s what Universal Chairman Marc Schmuger had to say about the project:
Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands. So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture, but never before has she been brought to life in a motion picture. We’re grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity.
All of this sounds makes me think this is going to look a lot like Legally Blonde meets Sex in the City. This would be fitting, as Mark is producing a new James L. Brooks movie that stars Reese Witherspoon, so there’s that to keep in mind as this project develops.
[Source: Variety]
You’ve got to be kidding me.
She may be recognized throughout the world, but she has no plot to go with her. 120 jobs… but what do you do with that?
GI Joe’s had their fight, so did the Transformers… Will Barbie become enemies with one of the other toys?
I’m just not seeing how it’s possible…
Comment by Schutzenegger — September 23, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
*siiigh*
Comment by scrotumbagmonkeyflicker — September 24, 2009 @ 2:14 am
Apparently there’s going to be a Lego movie too. Now THAT’s one I’d like to see!
Comment by Sarah — September 24, 2009 @ 2:43 am
I think it’s an awful idea. I’m a barbie fan myself, but it looks to me like it will be an oversexed air-head chick flick. There’s so many ways they could ruin it.
Comment by anni — April 1, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
I simultaneously love and hate this news. There have been a whole bunch of animated Barbie movies that have been outright crap because apparently some studio executives don’t think girls care about quality animation, let alone good story-telling, as long as things are pretty. And pink. Like that new Molson beer. Barbie’s tagline in the 80s–when I was growing up–was “We girls can do anything,” and I took that lesson to heart. (Also, her stuff wasn’t all pink. The original Dream House was yellow and white with primarily yellow furniture.) I hope that today’s little girls can glean the same message from whatever this studio is currently cooking up on their pink plastic stove. Let’s hope this Barbie is more Elle Woods than Carrie Bradshaw.
Comment by Meek_the_Geek — August 4, 2011 @ 3:13 pm