Ayo Edebiri to Write and in Talks to Star in ‘Barney’ Live-Action Movie From A24, Mattel and Daniel Kaluuya

“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri is set to write the screenplay for the upcoming live-action “Barney” movie and is also in talks to star in the film.

“Barney” will be co-developed and produced by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions in partnership with “Barney” IP owner Mattel Films. Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell are overseeing the project for Mattel Films. Robbie Brenner will serve as producer for Mattel Films with A24. Daniel Kaluuya and Rowan Riley will produce for 59% Productions.

Though Kaluuya is a lead producer on the film, sources tell Variety he will not be starring in the movie alongside Edebiri. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

Related Stories

VIP+

Why Broadcast Networks Can Coexist With Streamers for the Time Being

Scott Foley to Star as Modern-Day Minister in Amazon's 'It's Not Like That' (EXCLUSIVE)

Premiering in 1988, “Barney & Friends” aired for 14 seasons on PBS before coming to an end in November 2010.

When the project first got announced in November 2019, Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner said that working with Kaluuya would allow the studio “to take a completely new approach to ‘Barney’ that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations.”

After McKeon first said it was an “A24-type” project, then backtracked, Mattel has remained mostly tight-lipped about the “Barney” movie. But in an interview with Variety last October, Mattel chief franchise officer Josh Silverman teased how the film’s plot differs from Max’s new animated reboot of the “Barney” franchise while still noting “our television and films teams work very well together.”

“We’re very much hand in glove and in concert,” Silverman said. “And Robbie Brenner, who leads our film division, who’s just incredible, she and I spent a ton of time together talking about this. We want to have a clear narrative. In the case here, the ‘Barney’ film will be what it’s ultimately going to be, and this show, we felt that, we want to remain consistent to the authenticity. That’s really, really important. If it’s not authentic, we’re not going to do it. We want to remain consistent to the authenticity, the DNA of “Barney,” but we also want to modernize.”

Best known for her Emmy-winning role on FX’s “The Bear,” Edebiri recently voiced Envy in Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and will next be seen in director Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt” alongside Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.

She is repped by Range Media Partners, CAA, ID PR and Del Shaw Moonves.