A24‘s live-action Barney movie from Mattel Films and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions have set Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri to write the screenplay. Edebiri is also in talks to star.

The film’s plot is under wraps.

In a July 2023 interview with The New Yorker, Mattel exec Kevin McKeon revealed that the live-action Barnie would be adult-oriented and “surrealistic.”

“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” the executive said at the time. “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”

Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell are overseeing for Mattel Films, with Robbie Brenner producing for Mattel, along with A24, as well as Kaluuya and Rowan Riley for 59% Productions.