Here's a sentence I never thought I'd write: there's a live-action Toys "R" Us movie in the works.
According to Variety, Story Kitchen — the powerhouse behind recent video game adaptations like the Sonic the Hedgehog films — is set to capture the essence of childhood wonder in a modern, fast-paced adventure that taps into the Toys 'R' Us brand's relevance over its more than 70-year history in the toy industry.
“Toys 'R' Us is a cultural touchstone that continues to impact the child in all of us today,” said Story Kitchen co-founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg. “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.”
Somehow Toys 'R' Us returned. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
The movie draws inspiration from beloved films like Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, as well as other successful toy-to-movie franchises such as Barbie. While details about the cast remain under wraps, Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval will produce for Story Kitchen, with Kim Miller Olko producing for Toys "R" Us Studios.
“As Toys 'R' Us's first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen,” added Miller Olko, president of Toys 'R' Us Studios. “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.”
Last year, Story Kitchen announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto signed on. The studio is also adapting Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.
