Ayo Edebiri, the Emmy-winning star of FX’s The Bear, is set to take on a new challenge: writing the screenplay for the upcoming live-action “Barney” movie, per variety.com. In addition to her writing duties, Edebiri is also in talks to star in the film, which is being co-developed by A24, Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions, and Mattel Films.
The project, which has been shrouded in secrecy since its initial announcement in 2019, promises to deliver a fresh and unexpected take on the beloved purple dinosaur.
Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, who is producing the film alongside A24, previously hinted that the collaboration with Kaluuya would allow the studio to “subvert expectations” and modernise the iconic character while staying true to its core DNA.
While Kaluuya is heavily involved as a producer, sources confirm he will not appear on screen alongside Edebiri. Plot details remain tightly under wraps, but the film is expected to diverge significantly from Max’s recent animated “Barney” reboot.
Edebiri, who recently voiced Envy in Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and will star alongside Julia Roberts in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, continues to solidify her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents. Her involvement in the “Barney” project has already sparked excitement, with fans eager to see how her unique voice will shape this reimagining of a childhood classic.
•Featured Image Credit: Rachell Smith/Mattel
