Barney Makes His Comeback in New Show
By Movieguide® Contributor
The happy family of Barney the dinosaur is returning in a new animated series on Max.
BARNEY’S WORLD is set to launch this fall. Variety reported, “Starring the iconic Mattel character in his first TV show in 14 years, BARNEY’S WORLD is set in a playground, where Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends David, Mel, and Vivie.”
The series will contain 52 11-minute episodes. Jonathan Langdon will star as the loveable purple dinosaur. Joining him are Bryn McAuley who will play Baby Bop, Jonathan Tan as Billy, Jayd Deroché as David, Diana Tsoy as Mel and Ella Paciocco as Vivie.
“Through action-packed, music-filled adventures together, Barney helps the kids and audiences explore big preschool emotions, showing them how to love themselves, others, and their communities. While BARNEY’S WORLD was developed for preschoolers, viewers of all ages will feel nostalgic singing along with Barney and his friends again,” a press release describes. “Today’s parents, many of whom grew up with the lovable dinosaur, can now create memories with their own children as they experience this new take on a beloved classic.”
While tapping into nostalgia is great, the show needs to emphasize moral, uplifting values for it to succeed and for parents to want to turn it on for their kids.
The original Barney show titled BARNEY & THE BACKYARD GAME premiered in 1988. In 1992, the beloved BARNEY & FRIENDS took off, running for 14 seasons and launching the careers of several well-known celebs including Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.
Barney is one of many Mattel toy-based programs in the works. Other Mattel shows and movies to look forward to include POLLY POCKET, BOB THE BUILDER, UNO, HOT WHEELS, MAGIC 8 BALL, THOMAS & FRIENDS, AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS, ROCK ‘EM SOCK ‘EM ROBOTS, BASS FISHIN’, BOGLINS, HE-MAN AND SHE-RA and MATCHBOX CARS.
Movieguide® previously reported on the BOB THE BUILDER movie:
Mattel is working on a BOB THE BUILDER movie starring Anthony Ramos and Jennifer Lopez.
“When Roberto ‘Bob’ travels to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico for a major construction job, he takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build. Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people,” the movie’s description reads.
Ramos will star as Bob alongside Lopez. The movie will be produced by Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico from ShadowMachine, who worked on Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO. Felipe Vargas is set to write the screenplay.
“Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognize, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” added Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films.
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +3