EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM) have partnered to develop a live action motion picture based on Mattel’s classic toy line View-Master®.
For more than 75 years, generations of kids have been introduced to the wonder of 3-D by View-Master®. Named by TIME as one of the 100 All Time Greatest Toys in 2011 and inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, Mattel’s updated version of the classic toy brings the user experience to a whole new level of realism with View-Master® VR.
Mattel Films and MGM will co-produce the film. Robbie Brenner, Mattel’s Head of Film and Cassidy Lange, MGM’s Co-President of Production will oversee production.
“Since the 1940’s, View-Master® has inspired wonder and joy in children of all ages, creating huge opportunities for storytelling,” said Ms. Brenner. “MGM Pictures has tremendous expertise and a proven track record in capturing audiences’ imagination through film, and we’re proud to be partnering with them to bring another Mattel franchise to theaters. This marks another important milestone as we transform Mattel into an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.”
“View-Master® was the first device that allowed families all over the world to escape their reality and take them places they never thought they could go. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Mattel to create a family adventure integrating the old school turn and click stereotypic device with the modern world of virtual reality,” said Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group.
This is the second recent collaboration between Mattel Films and MGM, following the companies’ recent announcement to create a feature film based on the beloved American Girl® brand. Mattel recently announced an upcoming Hot Wheels® live action motion picture and the Barbie® feature-film starring and co-produced by Academy Award®-nominated actress Margot Robbie, both in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures. Mattel has also partnered with Sony Pictures for a reimagining of Masters of the Universe, based on Mattel’s beloved toy line which became a successful animated television program.
MGM recently released Steven Caple Jr.’s Creed II, starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, setting the record for highest grossing live action opener across Thanksgiving; and Fighting With My Family, a comedy-drama written and directed by Stephen Merchant, based on the true personal story of WWE Superstar Paige
and her family of professional wrestlers, starring Florence Pugh, Vince Vaughn and Dwayne Johnson. Upcoming on the MGM film slate is The Hustle, a hilarious new comedy starring Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, which will be released in theaters on May 10, 2019; the feature adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s best-selling novel The Sun Is Also A Star with Warner Bros. Pictures, directed by Ry Russo-Young and starring Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton, in theaters on May 17, 2019; Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan’s animated adaption of The Addams Family featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler and Allison Janney, in theaters on October 18, 2019; the 25th installment of EON Productions, MGM and Universal Pictures’ James Bond film directed by Cary Fukunaga and starring Daniel Craig which will be released theatrically in the U.S. on April 8, 2020; Legally Blonde 3 starring Reese Witherspoon in her return to the beloved character Elle Woods, is scheduled for release on May 8, 2020; and Candyman, a re-imagining of the 1992 horror classic, directed by Nia DaCosta and written and produced by Jordan Peele, in theaters on June 12, 2020.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends® and MEGA®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
About Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Metro Goldwyn Mayer is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content. In addition, MGM has investments in numerous television channels. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
