Mattel Films

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Mattel Films
FormerlyMattel Playground Productions (2013–2016)
TypeFilm division
IndustryFilm production
FoundedSeptember 6, 2018; 3 years ago (2018-09-06)
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Robbie Brenner (Executive Producer)
  • Ivan Sanchez (Executive Producer, Creativity)
  • Kevin McKeon (Vice President)
Number of employees
5 (2019)[1]
ParentMattel

Mattel Films is the film production division of Mattel originally formed on October 16, 2013 as Mattel Playground Productions as part of Mattel Global Brands, a unified media structural and strategy unit.[2]

On March 31, 2016, Mattel placed the division within a newly-created division at the time, Mattel Creations, absorbed its operations into it and, seven months later, made it defunct due to the box office reception of the live-action film release of Max Steel.[3] On September 6, 2018, the division was revived and reformed as Mattel Films.[4]

Background[edit]

In May 1970, Mattel had teamed up with producer Robert B. Radnitz to form a joint venture film production company; Radnitz/Mattel Productions.[5] to produce family films including Sounder and Where the Lilies Bloom.[6] The final film from Radnitz/Mattel was A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich in 1978.[7]

A few of Mattel's properties; Hot Wheels, Max Steel, Masters of the Universe and Monster High have been set up at various studios within the Los Angeles County. For example, Hot Wheels was first at Columbia Pictures with McG attached to direct, but ended up moving to Warner Bros. and Joel Silver. As of 2013, the property was licensed out to Legendary Pictures, with Joe Roth attached to produce.[8][9]

Mattel Playground Productions[edit]

Former logo as Mattel Playground Productions

On October 16 2013, with third-quarter global sales earnings risen 6% to US$2.21 billion, thus citing positive profitability, Mattel launched Playground Productions (shortened as Mattel PGP or just PGP) as its in-house film studio to handle multimedia productions and foster creative storytelling for its brands for global multi-platform distribution.[8][10] The intention/scope was to work closely with internal and external production and distribution partners, encompassing script development, storyboards and greenlighting theatrical productions. Its first animated project was “Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome”. Mattel had under development a live-action Hot Wheels film at Legendary Entertainment and Universal, films featuring the Masters of the Universe and Barbie brands at Columbia Pictures, a Monster High film with Universal and a Max Steel film with Dolphin Entertainment. PGP was planned to set up three-year storytelling plans that incorporate every part of the company's core operations, from toy designers to consumer products and marketing.[8] David Voss, an acclaimed 20-year veteran in the toy and entertainment business, was appointed as the division's head and Senior Vice President.[8][9]

With WWE on March 17, 2014, Mattel PGP launched an online short form series, WWE Slam City, to go along with its dedicated toy line.[11] The series was picked up by Nicktoons’ NickSports programming block from October 22, 2014.[12]

Voss left the division in January, 2016 for subscription service, Loot Crate.[13] On March 31, 2016, Mattel placed PGP within Mattel Creations upon its formation along with its other two content production units; HIT Entertainment and the content creation team of American Girl at Middleton, Wisconsin.[14] After the critical and commercial failure of the Max Steel live-action film on 20 October 2016, Mattel Playground Productions was absorbed into Mattel Creations.[3]

Reformation to Present Day[edit]

On September 6, 2018, Mattel announced the launch of a film division, Mattel Films, that will make films/movies based on the company’s toy brands. Outside Mattel, the division is widely recognized as the revival and replacement of Mattel PGP. Acclaimed film producer Robbie Brenner was appointed to head the division as executive producer and will report directly to Mattel's CEO, Ynon Kreiz.[4][15]

The revived division's first two projects are expected to be the Barbie and Masters of the Universe live-action films.[16] On January 7, 2019, Mattel Films closed the deal with Margot Robbie to star in the Barbie film to be co-produced with Warner Bros. and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment.[17] Mattel Films and Sony revive the Masters of the Universe film development 3 days later with many of the prior attempt's director and producers while bringing on board different writers, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, best-known writers of "Men in Black.[18]

On February 15, 2019, Mattel Films and MGM agreed to work on two live-action films; one each based on American Girl[19] and View-Master.[20] They also added the Polly Pocket brand to the MGM deal on June 24, 2021 with Lily Collins starring the titular character.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]

With the Hot Wheels films rights option with Legendary Entertainment expired and reverted back to Mattel, Mattel Films shopped the property to Warner Bros. for a partnership on a film for the first time on January 29, 2019.[28] The company teamed up with Universal Pictures for the first time on July 16, 2020 on adaptation of Wishbone to film.[29]

On April 19, 2021, Mattel Films teamed up with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films for a live-action film adaptation of the 1966-launched toy, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots; starring Diesel himself.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

On 16 December 2021, Mattel Films teamed up with Vital Films to adapt a toy made by Randy and Marcella Heiss, a married couple based in Tucson, Arizona, known as a Christmas Balloon into a live-action film based on a true story involving the couple's deceased child which fell part of the day's breaking news, with Kevin McKeon and Ivan Sanchez executive-producing and Gabriela Revilla Lugo writing its screenplay.[36][37][38][39]

Filmography[edit]

As Mattel Playground Productions
Title Release Date(s)/Year(s) Type Production
partner(s) 		Distributor Notes
The Monster High web series 20 October 2013 - 3 April 2016[citation needed] 2D-animated shorts/web series Nerd Corps Entertainment YouTube
The Monster High films 2013–2016 CGI-animated films DHX Media Vancouver

Nerd Corps Entertainment

TV:

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release) 		61-75 minutes[citation needed]
Barbie & the Secret Door 16 October 2014 CGI animated film Rainmaker Entertainment TV:

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

(Home video release)[40]

Team Hot Wheels 7 June 2014 Animated Mercury Filmworks
Titmouse, Inc. 		Digital platforms
YouTube
  • 22-minute origin story (spring)[9]
  • 11 two-minute shorts (summer)
  • 74-minute direct-to-video film (autumn/fall)
WWE Slam City March 17, 2014 Stop motion Stoopid Buddy Stoodios[12] Digital platforms[11]
Nicktoons (NickSports)[12] 		26-episode two-minute shorts series[11]
Ever After High[41] 30 May 2013 – 20 June 2016 Legacy Day 15-minute special Guru Studio Netflix Fairy tale web series
True Hearts Day 22-minute webisode special
  • Nickelodeon (US; international)
  • YouTube
  • EverAfterHigh.com
Thronecoming 44-minute TV special
66 three-minute webisodes
Barbie in Princess Power March 3, 2015[42] CGI-animated film Rainmaker Entertainment Nickelodeon (U.S. broadcast)
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

(Home video release)[43][44][45][46]

Barbie in Rock 'N Royals August 13, 2015[47]
Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure October 8, 2015[48]
Barbie: Spy Squad January 15, 2016[49]
Max Steel October 26, 2016[50] Live-action film Dolphin Films
Ingenious Media 		Open Road Films[9] Final production before the absorption of Mattel PGP into Mattel Creations
As Mattel Films
Barbie 2023[51] Live-action film LuckyChap Entertainment Warner Bros. Pictures
American Girl TBA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer United Artists Releasing
Barney 59%
Annapurna Pictures 		TBA
Christmas Balloon Vital Films [37][36][39][38]
Hot Wheels TBA Warner Bros. Pictures
Magic 8-Ball Blumhouse Productions TBA
Major Matt Mason Playtone
Weed Road Pictures 		Paramount Pictures
Masters of the Universe Columbia Pictures
Escape Artists 		Netflix
Polly Pocket Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Good Thing Going[21][22][23][24][25][26][27] 		United Artists Releasing
Thomas the Tank Engine 2Dux²[52] TBA
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots One Race Films[33][34][35] Universal Pictures[30][31][32]
UNO TBA
View-Master Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer United Artists Releasing
Wishbone TBA Universal Pictures

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kit, Borys (February 28, 2019). "Magic 8 Ball, the Movie? Mattel's New Film Chief on Adapting Toys and Why Barbie Was "Ahead of Her Time"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  2. ^ Goldman Getzler, Wendy (October 16, 2013). "With profits up, Mattel launches in-house studio Playground Productions". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Thompson, Luke Y. (September 7, 2018). "Why Mattel's Latest Movie Studio Announcement Doesn't Impress". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Ng, David. "Mattel creates new film division to turn toys into movies". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  5. ^ Knapp, Dan. (May 21, 1970). "Mattel, Radnitz Join Hands Archived October 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine". Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles County, California). Page F13.
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  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 11, 2019). "Sony and Mattel Films Tap 'Men in Black' Writers on 'Masters of the Universe' Reboot". Variety. Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
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  21. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 24, 2021). "Polly Pocket Movie In The Works With Lena Dunham Writing & Directing, Lily Collins Starring For Mattel & MGM". Deadline. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ a b "Mattel Films and MGM to Develop Polly Pocket Live-Action Motion Picture with Lena Dunham Writing, Directing and Lily Collins Starring as Polly | Mattel News". Mattel News. June 24, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ a b Hutchins, Robert (June 25, 2021). "Mattel is developing a live action Polly Pocket movie with MGM". ToyNews. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ a b Schaefer, Sandy (June 24, 2021). "Mattel and MGM Set Polly Pocket Film From Lena Dunham, Lily Collins". CBR. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ a b Michalik, Maddie (June 24, 2021). "Lily Collins to Play Polly in Live-action Polly Pocket Movie from Mattel Films, MGM • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ a b Galuppo, Mia (June 24, 2021). "Lena Dunham Tackling 'Polly Pocket' Movie Starring Lily Collins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  28. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 30, 2019). "'Hot Wheels' Live-Action Movie in the Works With Mattel, Warner Bros". Variety. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  29. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 15, 2020). "'Wishbone' Film Adaptation in the Works From Mattel and Universal With Peter Farrelly Producing". Variety. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Stone, Loryn (April 20, 2021). "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Toy-Wizards.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ a b "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Business Wire. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ a b Karaca, Kristine; Kazakos, Niki (April 19, 2021). "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Mattel. Retrieved April 30, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ a b Parlevliet, Authur Mirko (April 19, 2021). "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Movie to Star Vin Diesel". VitalThrills.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ a b Foster, Elizabeth (April 20, 2021). "Mattel hits the big screen with Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Yahoo! Finance. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ a b Kazakos, Niki; Karaca, Kristine (December 16, 2021). "Mattel Films to Develop Family Drama Christmas Balloon Live-Action Motion Picture". Mattel Films (Press release). Mattel. Retrieved January 3, 2022.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ a b Sanders, Shaley (December 23, 2021). "Mattel Inc. to make Arizona's Christmas Balloon story into movie". KOLD-TV. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  38. ^ a b Gonzalez, Umberto (December 16, 2021). "Live-Action 'Christmas Balloon' Movie in the Works at Mattel Films". TheWrap. Retrieved January 3, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ a b Galuppo, Mia (December 16, 2021). "Mattel Developing Holiday Feature 'Christmas Balloon'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Barbie and The Secret Door". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. March 8, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ Rusak, Gary (April 3, 2014). "Mattel plays around with digital distribution strategies". StreamDaily. Brunico Communications Ltd. iKids. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
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  46. ^ "Barbie: Spy Squad". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  48. ^ "Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. October 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  49. ^ "Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  50. ^ McNary, Dave (February 23, 2016). "Robert De Niro Boxing Movie 'Hands of Stone' Set for August Release". Variety. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  51. ^ Sharf, Zack (July 9, 2021). "Greta Gerwig Directing 'Barbie' for Her 'Little Women' Follow-Up, 2023 Release Planned". IndieWire. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  52. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (October 6, 2020). "Thomas & Friends New Movie In The Works From Mattel Films & Marc Forster's 2Dux²". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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