This was always bound to happen, and it seems the success of the Barbie movie has resulted in steps being taken to fast-track a number of Mattel-based projects into production.
Back in 2021, we got word that a live-action Polly Pocket movie was in the works from Mattel and MGM, with Emily in Paris star Lilly Collin in talks to play the pint-sized lead and Girls creator Lena Dunham in the director's chair.
Now, Variety (via SFFGazette.com) has confirmed that the film is moving forward with Collins and Dunham still on board - along with several other Mattel-based projects.
“First of all, they are two of my favorite ladies ever,” says Mattel Films' Robbie Brenner of Collins and Dunham. “It’s been an amazing collaboration. Lena is so collaborative and rolls up her sleeves and really likes to roll around in notes and listen. She’s incredible. Lily is so smart and so specific and so productorial. It’s just been an incredible collaboration, so we are thrilled about it. Hopefully, we’ll be making that at some point in the future.”
Polly Pocket will reportedly "follow a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship," but further details have yet to be disclosed.
Polly hit shelves over 30 years ago and proved massively popular as a "microscale doll" with various accessories. She went on to appear in her own Family Channel animated series in 2018, which is currently on Netflix.
The list of Mattel properties currently in various stages of development include: UNO, Barney, Wishbone, Magic 8 Ball, American Girl, Thomas the Tank Engine, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, and more.
Is Mattel Films attempting to put together some kind of shared movie universe? As bizarre as the notion may seem, we wouldn't rule it out.
What do you make of this news? Is Mattel putting the cart before the horse with all of these toy-based projects? Drop us a comment down below.