Home / Arts and Entertainment / Mattel Taps Acclaimed Animator to Bring View-Master Toy to Life on the Big Screen
Mattel Taps Acclaimed Animator to Bring View-Master Toy to Life on the Big Screen
11 Nov
Summary
- Mattel to release a feature film about the 1939 View-Master toy
- Writer/director Phil Johnston, known for Disney animated films, to pen the script
- View-Master film follows Mattel's successful Barbie movie in 2023
In a move to capitalize on nostalgia and the success of its recent Barbie movie, toy giant Mattel has announced plans to release a feature film about the classic View-Master toy. The 3D image viewer, first introduced in 1939, will be brought to life on the big screen with the help of acclaimed writer, director, and producer Phil Johnston.
Johnston, known for his work on animated Disney films like Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Zootopia, will pen the script for the View-Master movie. The filmmaker expressed his excitement about the project, recalling the hours he spent "escaping into those slides" as a child in the 1980s. He aims to capture the sense of "wonder" he felt using the toy and transport a new generation of viewers.
Mattel has experience translating its iconic brands to the silver screen, with the 2023 Barbie movie becoming a cultural phenomenon. The star-studded film, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Issa Rae, was a box office success and sparked the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon that drew audiences back to theaters. The company is optimistic that the View-Master adaptation will similarly captivate audiences.
