After Barbie Mattel Films he is developing his future by recruiting the Indie of Sunday’s filmmakers

Mattel’s films made a huge splash in 2023 with Barbietransforming a plastic doll into a cultural phenomenon of billions of dollars. But for the president of Mattel Films, Robbie Brenner, that was only the beginning.

While driving the company in its next wave of films, he is betting on new talents and a great narrative to maintain the momentum.

Last month, Brenner and a team of managers Mattel participated in the Sundance Film Festival to explore some talent. Brenner said:

“Sundance is where the future is located. We are trying to enter the ground floor with these great artists before they become the next Christopher Nolan. “

I’m not sure if Sundance is where the future is because in recent years most of the films that have been released have not been good. In my opion, the wave of films always becomes more and more disappointing.

While I understand what they are trying to do this could return against them. We have seen several times how these independent filmmakers jump from a low budget budget budget and the result is a disaster. Some of these independent filmmakers are not ready or ready to face this type of major projects. Mattle’s hope wisely moves their talent.

Now, taking independent director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, little women) For Helm Basrbie, it was an excellent choice, but first he made fantastic films. Regardless of this, a film about a plastic fashion doll was a great risk, but it came off.

Gerwig made a playful and subversive film, in the end landing Barbie An Oscar nomination for the best film and almost $ 1.5 billion at the global box office.

Brenner says: “Barbie It was a proof of the concept. It makes people know in the sector we are here, we mean business and we want to put the bar high. “

When Mattel Ynon Kreiz’s CEO approached Brenner over six years ago to bring Mattel’s IP to Hollywood, it wasn’t exactly on his radar. Admitted:

“It was the most far from my mind to take a job like this. He fell from heaven. I was in my production space, trying to make films that spoke to me and that counted. “

But she and Kreiz discovered a shared passion for narration and an entrepreneurial push. He said: “He needed someone who had an entrepreneurial spirit. They are the type of person where the door can close on me 1,000 times and I’m still knocking on it. You have to do it in the independent movie. “

Now, with Barbie As a launch pad, Mattel Films is launching a series of projects that support the single DNA of each property. THE Masters of the Universe film, directed by Kubo and the two ropes director Travis KnightHe started shooting in February.

As for this, Brenner said: “He is absolutely unique – from the combination of colors for the characters in the tone – but he also has the journey of a classic hero”.

In the meantime, John dinner He is turning for a Matchbox film currently laps in Budapest and other development projects include a Polly Pocket Movies with Lily Collins, Bob the Builder with Anthony RamosA Rock Robot ‘EM Calzino “ adaptation with Vin DieselAND Tom Hanks assuming the role of Major Matt Mason.

While Mattel is giving his directors creative freedom, there are some boundaries. “We will not make a movie with Rating R. We do not need words of curse or sex or extreme violence. In addition, we are very open. “

That opening does not mean that they are chasing another Barbie-The phenomenon at the level. Recognizes: “Barbie was an absolute unicorn. Will it ever happen again? I hope. But all the stars have aligned perfectly on this.

“I have to keep my head low and not think about the success of Barbie. I have to think about making every film distinctive. “

And this is Brenner’s focus … Building a series of films that are alone, not only as toy adaptations but as compelling stories and guided by the character.

Away: variety