Mattel Launches New Theatrical Film Division

Entertainment

by Outsiders
September 7, 2018

Mattel, Inc. announced the creation of Mattel Films, a new division of the Company focused on developing and producing motion pictures based on the Company's iconic and globally-recognized franchises. Academy Award-nominated producer Robbie Brenner has been appointed to lead Mattel Films as Executive Producer, reporting to Ynon Kreiz, Mattel's Chairman and CEO.

Robbie Brenner will oversee Mattel Films, developing motion pictures based on Mattel’s iconic franchises.

Mattel is free to develop studio options on such properties as Hot Wheels, American Girl, Fisher-Price and Thomas & Friends itself. Mattel Films then plans to find studio partners to produce the movies. Mattel and Sony had been developing a live-action Barbie movie, set to star Anne Hathaway, for 2020 release, but according to Mattel, that option has lapsed and that project is not moving forward.

"Mattel is home to one of the world's greatest portfolios of beloved franchises, and the creation of Mattel Films will allow us to unlock significant value across our IP," said Mr. Kreiz. "Robbie is a gifted storyteller and a highly respected filmmaker with deep relationships in entertainment. She is the perfect leader to bring our celebrated brands to life."

"Generations of children around the world have grown up with deep emotional connections to Mattel's brands and characters," said Ms. Brenner. "There are so many stories to be told and so many imaginations to be captured by these iconic brands, and I look forward to working with Ynon and his team to do so."

Ms. Brenner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture for Dallas Buyers Club, and her film Burden was a 2018 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner. She has held multiple leadership roles in the entertainment industry for the last two decades, including Partner and President of the film division at The Firm, as well as President of Production at Relativity Media. Ms. Brenner also ran the classics division at Davis Entertainment, and prior to this, she held Senior Vice President roles at both Twentieth Century Fox and Miramax.

Ms. Brenner oversaw the production of dozens of movies, including Academy Award-winning The Fighter; the Snow White Adaptation Mirror Mirror, starring Julia Roberts; the 3-D epic, Immortals; the highly successful Nicholas Sparks book adaptions Dear John and Safe Haven. Ms. Brenner was also pivotal in the acquisition of the Sundance documentary Catfish, which became a cultural sensation, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, Don Jon.

In 2015, in recognition of her pioneering work, Ms. Brenner was invited to join the executive branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Additional Sources: THR

Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )

NeedlessImmortals - 2018-10-02 @ 1:45 am

5 hours ago, sXeblues said:
I heartily second the demand for a James Tolkan action figure! How this has not already been a thing unless it was at one time and I completely missed it Ill never know!?

I third! Any company who doesn't make aJames Tolkin figure is a slacker!?

sXeblues - 2018-10-01 @ 8:10 pm

5 hours ago, mako said:
Hey, at the time I would've given anything for movie accurate MOTU figures. Even now when I see any Star Wars Black Series figures I look longingly back on this turkey.
He-Man, Skeletor, Gwildor, Teela, Man-at-Arms, Evil-Lyn, the Sorceress, the Mercenaries, Skeletor's Troops, Julie, Kevin, Lubic... LUBIC man!!! I demand a James Tolkin action figure!

I heartily second the demand for a James Tolkan action figure! How this has not already been a thing unless it was at one time and I completely missed it Ill never know!?

FASVB - 2018-10-01 @ 7:18 pm

The Rock as He-Man. Let's pitch to him maybe he will be up for it.

Perfect fit. Imagina Dwayne Johnson with a blond wig! Bryce Dallas Howard could be Teela and J k Simmons could be Men-At-Arms

NeedlessImmortals - 2018-10-01 @ 6:44 pm

16 hours ago, FASVB said:
I laughed because I know for sure you guys are kidding

I'm really not lol I have the whole MOTUC line and they already released 4of the characters from that movie so I would like to complete that set.?

16 hours ago, GojiBill said:
With the Rocks charisma factor, it could happen. That guy has been making box office magic. Jumanji 2 made over $900 million.

And I would watch the hell out of it!I doubt it would be worse than Rampage or Skyscraper which weren't great but there were parts I liked in each.

mako - 2018-10-01 @ 3:05 pm

1 hour ago, sXeblues said:
I really want one of those, actually!?

Hey, at the time I would've given anything for movie accurate MOTU figures. Even now when I see any Star Wars Black Series figures I look longingly back on this turkey.

He-Man, Skeletor, Gwildor, Teela, Man-at-Arms, Evil-Lyn, the Sorceress, the Mercenaries, Skeletor's Troops, Julie, Kevin, Lubic... LUBIC man!!! I demand a James Tolkin action figure!

mako - 2018-10-01 @ 2:17 pm

11 minutes ago, FASVB said:
Super 7 apparently is always on the look for new products according to fan demand.
I just wish that they could release them in bigger quantities and not only for the subscription or pre order mode.
International consumers always get left behind in these sort of business models.

Problem with companies like Super 7 is they're smaller companies who couldn't cut-it if they tried to go regular retail or go with larger "print-runs." That's no slight against them, mind you, they're doing great work, but it is what it is.

They couldn't even dream of doing a fully realized MOTUC line outside of a sub or preorder framework. You're not so much paying them for an action figure as paying them to MAKE you an action figure. At the end of the day that means tiny print runs and premium pricing.

I'm glad they're doing it, but its not something I can pull the trigger on.

FASVB - 2018-10-01 @ 2:06 pm

35 minutes ago, sXeblues said:
I really want one of those, actually!?

Super 7 apparently is always on the look for new products according to fan demand.

I just wish that they could release them in bigger quantities and not only for the subscription or pre order mode.

International consumers always get left behind in these sort of business models.

sXeblues - 2018-10-01 @ 1:28 pm

8 hours ago, FASVB said:
If there is a demand, they will.
They even made Laughing Adam. And that is from a meme

I really want one of those, actually!?

mako - 2018-10-01 @ 9:58 am

20 hours ago, NeedlessImmortals said:
I was just saying to my brother the other day that I would love it if a company started making 6 inch G.I. Joes. Preferably Hasbro cause I don't want to be paying 50+ on all those characters. Either way It would suck on my wallet but I'd find a way to make it work?

I was always on the opposite end of the 6" argument. To me, at least 50% of G.I. Joe's draw has always been the vehicles and playsets. That was the whole reason Joe was released in 1/18th scale in the first place. Lately though, I've been thinking maybe the only way Joe can survive is through a Marvel Legends-esque 1/12th" "Adult Collector" line. That's one reason I was so excited to hear Hasbro is planning just such a line for their Power Rangers. Thematically at least, Rangers is a lot closer to Joe than Marvel Legends, so maybe if that line flies it'll inspire the Has' to give Joe a try.

FASVB - 2018-10-01 @ 5:15 am

1 hour ago, sXeblues said:
It seems like a hilarious, borderline nonsensical assumption that one will ever be made...BUUUT, Super7isactuallymaking one or two movie homage figures, in their MOTUC line. So, believe it or not, its not impossible!?

If there is a demand, they will.

They even made Laughing Adam. And that is from a meme

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