The constantly happy purple Tyrannosaurus rex Barney is heading to the big screen for a live-action film. And the actor Daniel Kaluuya will be the producer under his newly formed production company 59%.
“Barney & Friends” was a children’s TV series that started on PBS in 1992 and ended in 2009. It focused on Barney teaching children various educational lessons through song, and the show always beamed with positivity. Each episode ended with the song “I Love You” as well, which the cast sang along with.
Kaluuya said he’s attracted to the warm, loving nature of the show and wants to see if Barney’s overall message will still be well-received.
“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” said the actor in a press release. “We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”
Kaluuya had his first film role in 2006’s “Shoot the Messenger” as the character Reese. But he really shot to fame after playing Chris Washington in the 2017 smash “Get Out,” where he received a Golden Globe, as well as an Oscar nomination for best actor.
He also took home the winning trophy at the 2018 NAACP Awards for outstanding actor in a motion picture for the film.
Kaluuya then stayed on that same successful path with the groundbreaking movie “Black Panther,” playing W’Kabi. He was in the 2018 heist film “Widows” with Viola Davis as well.
“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to ‘Barney’ that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” said Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, who’s working with the actor on Barney. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”
