Scorching off the principle stage at MIPCOM, Mattel Studios President Robbie Brenner caught up with The Hollywood Reporter concerning the firm’s epic slate.
Mattel’s upcoming tasks embody a Polly Pocket live-action movie with Reese Witherspoon’s Good day Sunshine hooked up and Lily Collins starring in addition to Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe with Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and Idris Elba coming June 2026 from Amazon MGM. Elsewhere, Ayo Edebiri has penned a Barney film script for A24, produced by Daniel Kaluuya, and Depraved helmer Jon M. Chu can be engaged on a live-action Scorching Wheels film at Warner Bros. Sam Hargrave, in the meantime, is at present capturing a Matchbox movie with John Cena and Jessica Biel at Apple.
On Monday, Mattel generated extra buzz with the announcement of a Magic 8 Ball TV collection, directed by The Sixth Senses‘s M. Evening Shyamalan and Brad Falchuk (Glee, American Horror Story) writing.
“He had raised his hand and he acquired launched to among the Mattel IP, and he responded to that,” stated Brenner, beforehand govt producer of Mattel Movies forward of her promotion to the highest job in September 2023, about getting the Oscar-nominated filmmaker aboard.
“We met and kicked it round and we began speaking and marinating on it, and it simply sort of advanced from there. He’s actually fantastic,” she informed THR. “I don’t suppose he ever will get concerned with something that he doesn’t really feel actually captivated with. He has severe conviction, and his ideas and concepts are witnessed in his films and all the things that he does.”
Whereas Brenner couldn’t reveal specific particulars about what type a Magic 8 Ball collection will take, she did affirm she’s learn Falchuk’s pilot script. “He was such a giant get,” she added about Falchuk. “He’s a beautiful author and world creator and I feel everybody’s intrigued by the 8 Ball. All of us wish to know what our future is, proper? I feel everyone goes to tune into that one.”
Throughout her MIP headliner session Tuesday morning in Cannes, Brenner additionally mentioned a few her greatest takeaways concerning the hotly anticipated Masters of the Universe adaptation. “I went and visited the set final 12 months, and out of all the flicks that I’ve labored on in my complete life — even Barbie — it was [the biggest]. It was huge. I feel we took over two or three sound levels. This was on eight again heaps… [Characters] strolling round which are eight-feet tall. There are these loopy characters on this film.”
“I simply truly acquired to see a director’s reduce of the film,” she added, “and [I was] completely blown away. That will likely be our second theatrical film… I feel it’s an ideal praise to Barbie. I feel individuals are going to be so excited. It’s so a lot enjoyable and feels so completely different.”
Mattel famously noticed immense success with Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster hit that went on to not solely gross over $1.4 billion on the international field workplace, however grow to be a cultural phenomenon and land eight Oscar nominations. Brenner says this proof of idea “blew the doorways open” for Mattel in Hollywood.
“I feel folks notice, ‘Okay, Mattel is right here.’ We’re a drive,” she stated. “All the pieces just isn’t going to be Barbie, however on the similar time, we imply enterprise. We wish to inform nice tales.” On challenges forward, Brenner confessed there isn’t something she’s overly involved about. “I don’t really feel any type of impediments. I really feel like we simply have unbelievable alternative with all of this IP. Now, with Mattel Studios having tv and movie sit beneath one umbrella and one ecosystem, there’s countless prospects.”
“[There is] enthusiasm, I feel, for taking such a daring swing with Barbie and being rewarded for it,” added Brenner. “As a result of folks notice we are able to snort at ourselves. All the pieces doesn’t must be so severe.”
The exec admitted that main the jam-packed slate is an expertise akin to having a variety of pots — some simmering and others boiling over — on the range. Amongst these within the pipeline are a live-action function movie based mostly on their American Lady doll line and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots with Vin Diesel at Common. She declined to decide on a favourite.
“I’m very enthusiastic about Polly Pocket. It’s actually enjoyable,” Brenner started. “I’m enthusiastic about Barney, Scorching Wheels — who wouldn’t be enthusiastic about working with Jon M. Chu and J.J. Abrams? “I like Vin Diesel… and American Lady — the way in which into the story is so good and so sudden.”
Brenner boasts a background in indie movie manufacturing having labored on 2013’s Oscar hit Dallas Consumers Membership. She began out as a associate at The Agency and went to Miramax for 9 years, honing her talent-spotting ability that’s now in movement at Mattel. “I labored at Miramax within the heyday of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Canines and Shakespeare in Love, all of those unbelievable films,” stated the Mattel chief. “So what I reply to is storytelling and completely different, thrilling voices.”
“I don’t suppose it’s an accident that the previous [few] years, in the event you have a look at all the very best photos, the place Anora received final 12 months and All the pieces In all places All At As soon as and Parasite,” stated Brenner, “I imply these are all very indie filmmaker-driven, polarizing tales. Anora — that film simply actually resonated with folks. You felt for her. You have been emotionally related to her. I really feel earlier than I take into consideration something in life. My feelings inform me and information me.”
MIPCOM Cannes 2025 runs Oct. 13-16.