Daniel Kaluuya’s ‘Barney’ movie to focus on millennial angst

Daniel Kaluuya’s live-action adaptation of children’s TV show ‘Barney’ is set to have a tonal shift, said Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon

Daniel Kaluuya is set to star and produce a ‘Barney’ movie, the live-action adaptation of the popular children’s TV show. Kevin McKeon, Mattel Films executive, said that there is a tonal twist to the film.

Speaking to The New Yorker, he said,“We are leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids. 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.”

McKeon described the Barney movie as “A24-type, surrealistic story similar to Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze’s respective works”. Kaaluya had earlier said in interviews that he wanted to focus on the heartbreaking aspects of Barney. Mattel Films will launch Barbieon July 21. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie.