Mattel Studios is accelerating its film and television production slate, leveraging the success of the 2023 Barbie film to attract A-list creative partners. Robbie Brenner, President, confirmed the company is focused on telling great stories and now operates with significant momentum in Hollywood.
Building the cinematic universe
Mattel‘s current project slate is large and diverse. A live-action Polly Pocket film is in development, featuring Lily Collins and produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. The Masters of the Universe adaptation, directed by Travis Knight, is scheduled for release in June 2026 from Amazon MGM and stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, and Idris Elba. Brenner, who recently saw a director’s cut of the film, called the production ‘massive’ and ‘a perfect compliment to Barbie’.
Other projects include a Barney movie script penned by Ayo Edebiri for A24, produced by Daniel Kaluuya. Jon M. Chu is working on a live-action Hot Wheels movie at Warner Bros., and Sam Hargrave is shooting a Matchbox film with John Cena and Jessica Biel at Apple. The slate also includes a live-action feature film based on the American Girl doll line and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots with Vin Diesel at Universal.
Major talent commits to IP
Mattel is continuing to attract high-profile talent to its franchises. The company recently announced a Magic 8 Ball TV series, which will be directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan and written by Brad Falchuk.
Brenner spoke about securing Shyamalan, noting he ‘doesn’t think he ever gets involved with anything that he doesn’t feel really passionate about’. Regarding Falchuk’s involvement, she added, ‘He was such a big get. He’s a wonderful writer and world creator and I think everyone’s intrigued by the 8 Ball’.
Brenner believes the success of Barbie—which grossed over $1.4 billion globally and landed eight Oscar nominations— ‘blew the doors open” for Mattel in Hollywood. She stated that the company is now viewed as «a force’.
Drawing on her background in independent film, which includes work on Dallas Buyers Club and her time at Miramax, Brenner emphasizes storytelling and strong creative voices. She noted that she responds to ‘different, exciting voices’, similar to the indie filmmaker-driven and polarizing stories that have won Best Picture in recent years. With film and television now sitting ‘under one umbrella and one ecosystem’, Brenner concluded there are ‘endless possibilities’ for the Mattel IP.
