Video game film adaptation-focused studio, Story Kitchen, has confirmed plans to partner with Toys"R"Us Studios, the entertainment division of the toy brand, to bring to life a live action Toys"R"Us film.
Story Kitchen co-founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg announced the project and said it’s poised to “capture the spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia that Toys"R"Us represents,” noting the toy brand as a “cultural touchstone” and that they’re honored to be working with the brand.
“Toys’R’Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today. As ‘80s kids who considered Toys’R’Us one of the most magical places on Earth, we’re honored to partner to create a film that will capture the spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia that Toys’R’Us represents.”
Now, it will be a while before we see much of anything, with the film being in early development. Meanwhile, on the side of Toys"R"Us, studio president Kim Miller Olko promises the film will “capture the imagination, adventure and joy” that the brand has found with kids.
“As Toys’R’Us’ first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen. It will be a journey as boundless as play itself, evoking the electric sense of wonder that is the essence of Toys’R’Us. This story will capture the imagination, adventure and joy that has made Toys’R’Us a destination for kids of all ages.”
The film was described by Variety as in the vein of Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, with other big-name toy-themed films like Jumanji and Barbie also on the docket of inspirations.
In terms of its team, Story Kitchen has Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval all producing alongside Toys"R"Us Studios’ Olko.
Frankly, while the concept is a bit vague, it’s probably best that Toys"R"Us partnered with Story Kitchen in particular, considering their solid track record and focus on video games and “non-traditional” IPs. Looking at the studio’s future, it has its hands full.
Alongside partnering with Toys"R"Us, it’s also working with Universal on a Just Cause and Ruiner film, tackling Streets of Rage for Lionsgate, adapting SIFU for Netflix, and even bringing ToeJam & Earl and It Takes Two to the big screen for Amazon MGM Studios.
Frankly, the biggest thing to look forward to with this partnership is how much it’s going to mesh with the brand and potentially surge its popularity as the global toy brand is still trying to recover from some hard times.