Michelle Mendelovitz has stepped down from her role leading Mattel TV Studios, TheWrap has learned.

Mendelovitz, who joined the toy manufacturer in November 2023, served as head of Mattel TV Studios for just nine months before departing the role. A representative for Mattel did not provide further comment regarding her departure.

During her time leading Mattel’s TV Studios, Mendelovitz was responsible for overseeing the development, production and distribution of Mattel’s slate of TV content across broadcast and streaming globally. She reported to Mattel’s chief franchise officer, Josh Silverman.

Mattel TV Studios recently brought on board Sidney Clifton, Amy Suh and Cory Bennett Lewis as the creative head for animation, the creative head of live action and the head of production, respectively. The trio previously reported to Mendelovitz, whose role is expected to be filled.

Mendelovitz joined Mattel in the wake of the smash success of “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling,...

A frustrating bug has been discovered in Starfield attached to one of the most useful tools in the game, the Hellers cutter. The bug is not quite game-breaking, but it is ship-breaking, and it is sure to ruin your day if you encounter it.

The recently added shipbreaker cutter is bugged, and if you’re not careful, it could end up costing you a fair chunk of credits.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker Easter Egg is Breaking Starfield

The shipbreaker cutter in Starfield, a reference to Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Image credit: Reddit

Recently, Bethesda added an easter egg to Starfield referencing the popular ship-breaking adventure game Hardspace: Shipbreaker, which came in the form of a skin for the Hellers Cutter, calling it the shipbreakers cutter. In Hardspace, players take on the role of a shipbreaker and use a laser cutter to breakdown and salvage spaceships.

Suggested“Relatively small compared to Starfield”: Star Wars...

Indian cinema — and in particular its perception here in the West — has been in the ascendant since Rrr became a surprise smash hit in 2022. Kill, the Hindi-language new film from Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, feels nearly as significant as that epic: a thunderous action film that smashes expectations of what can come from the country’s powerhouse film industry.

As far as action goes, it is relentless. The obvious comparisons would be that it lands somewhere between the one-man-against-the-terrorists high-concept of Die Hard, the non-stop, expertly-staged ultraviolence of Gareth Evans’ The Raid, and the bloody, claustrophobic public-transport-disaster of Yeon Sang-ho’s Train To Busan. It’s visceral and contained, a smart genre exercise clearly influenced by specialists from around the world, but with a distinct Indian flavour.

Suggesting more of a ‘masala film’ approach, Kill begins in a melodramatic mould: Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) is to be married off against her will...

Following the huge success of his Prime Video rom-coms The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue, Nicholas Galitzine is staying in business with Amazon MGM, as he’s been tapped to star as He-Man in the live-action Masters of the Universe flick from the studio and Mattel Films.

While long-awaited, details as to the film’s plot are under wraps. Based on the iconic franchise from Mattel, it’ll be directed by Travis Knight, who is working from a script by Chris Butler. David Callaham, Aaron Nee and Adam Nee worked on an earlier draft.

Masters of the Universe will be produced by Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, as well as Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner. Previously in development at Sony and Netflix, the film will be released exclusively in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026.

Centering on the battle between the heroic He-Man (aka Prince Adam...

There’s no doubt that Wuthering Waves is one of the most unique RPGs out there right now, where you can explore a post-apocalyptic open world dominated by a mysterious catastrophe called the Lament. Players must take on the role of Rover and join Resonators to keep the world safe.

As you explore the planet of Solaris-3 and take up the fight against the Lament, you’ll come across thrilling quests and challenges and unleash your inner warrior. The game features tons of interesting characters that will make you a fan! However, you might not know that one of the voices behind these characters in Wuthering Waves has a bizarre connection to the beloved kids’ show Thomas & Friends!

Wuthering Waves’ Voice Actor Featured in Thomas The Tank Engine! Mortefi’s voice actor | Wuthering WavesTwitter/X

Mortefi is one of the most famous characters in Wuthering Waves. While he might...

The new streaming network joins other free PBS offerings like PBS Food, PBS Antiques Roadshow and more.

Get ready to step into the PBS time machine! A new exclusive report from The Wrap indicates that The Roku Channel is has launched a new free ad-supported TV (Fast) channel from PBS called the PBS Retro network. This channel features beloved favorites that fans will identify as PBS classics, and it provides audiences with a new way to enjoy the lean-back style of entertainment that Fast channels offer.

The PBS Retro channel features titles like “Kratts’ Creatures,” “Zoboomafoo” and others from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. PBS operates various other free and subscription streaming channels. Fast platforms score high marks from viewers, and Disney is preparing to add free streaming channels to Disney+ in order to boost engagement. Sign Up Now $7.99+ / month disneyplus.com

Get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for just $14.99 a...

Yes, you read that right. Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally bringing in one of the most requested features into the game during its 7th patch, and that is the ability to use mods within the game. Thanks to a recent news blog on Steam, we now know that Larian Studios is working on adding its own modding tool into the game to allow gamers to alter certain aspects of the game.

At the moment, it is not known how in-depth this new system will be, but thanks to the modding community, it is likely that gamers will soon see videos all over YouTube regarding characters like Shrek, Thomas the Tank Engine, and so many more making their way into Baldur’s Gate 3.

Mods Are Finally Coming to Baldur’s Gate 3 and Gamers Will Happily Take Advantage of Them Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally introducing the ability to use mods.

One...

Get ready for a thrilling adventure on the tracks as “Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go” chugs into action this Thursday at 8:35 Am on Channel 5. In this exciting episode, a mystery unfolds on the island of Sodor when a bunch of watermelons mysteriously vanish. To crack the case and catch the culprit, Sodor’s dynamic detective duo, Detective Bruno and Inspector Diesel, take center stage.

Join the investigation as these keen-eyed investigators follow the trail of clues and employ their unique skills to solve the mystery of the missing watermelons. The episode promises a delightful blend of suspense, teamwork, and the signature charm of the beloved Thomas & Friends characters. Young viewers and fans of all ages are in for a treat as they follow the exciting escapades of Bruno, Diesel, and the rest of the Sodor crew.

Tune in for a morning of fun and intrigue as...

Get ready for a delightful morning of curiosity and adventure as “Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go” steams onto your screens on Wednesday, December 27, at 8:20 Am on Channel 5. In this episode, the ever-curious Thomas and his trusty friend Percy embark on a journey filled with mystery when they collect a peculiar-shaped delivery.

As the two engines chug along, the mysterious delivery starts making strange noises, piquing the curiosity of our beloved characters. The episode promises a mix of lighthearted exploration and problem-solving, as Thomas and Percy work together to unravel the enigma behind the peculiar cargo.

Young viewers and fans of the timeless “Thomas & Friends” series can anticipate a charming storyline that combines friendship, curiosity, and the joy of discovery. Tune in at 8:20 Am for a morning filled with the warmth of familiar characters and the excitement of a mystery waiting to be solved on Channel...

Historically, television content has largely originated in the United States and spread to other parts of the world. But in recent years, this dynamic has begun to change, with British television shows experiencing a surge in popularity in the U.S. market. This shift can be attributed chiefly to the rise of streaming platforms, which have made international content more accessible to U.S. audiences.

Recent data from Parrot Analytics reveals that British TV shows accounted for nearly 6% of the total demand for TV series in the U.S. during the third quarter of 2023. This figure represents the largest demand share for foreign content, surpassing other notable producers of TV content such as Japan and South Korea.

Impressively, the demand for British shows in the U.S. has grown by 75% over the past three and a half years, outpacing the 65% growth rate for shows from other countries (including the U.

Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" became a bona fide hit this year. After it premiered this July, the film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, which, according to Box Office Mojo, makes it the highest-grossing movie of the year so far, beating films like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Oppenheimer," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3." Since it's pulled in passionate audiences worldwide, it's no wonder Mattel is eager to make even more movies inspired by its popular toy brands. Its upcoming film slate is being dubbed the "Mattel Universe." While the success of "Barbie" has certainly helped push the company to begin development on these films, the Mattel Universe has actually been years in the making. Let us explain.

How Did the Mattel Cinematic Universe Begin?

According to The New York Times, talks of a Mattel Universe first began when CEO Ynon Kreiz took over as Mattel's new chairman and chief...

Want to binge some cartoons? We’ve pulled together all the best streaming services to get your animation fix. While there are some illegal ways to do this, we’re sharing perfectly legal options, many of which you can stream for free.

30-Day Trial paramountplus.com Paramount Plus

Paramount+ is a great all-around streamer for families, but it excels at animation. It’s home to all the best shows from Nickelodeon, so it’s perfect for kids. There isn’t much adult animation to be found, however.

If you’re getting this for your kids, consider paying up for the ad-free version.

Highlights:

SpongeBob SquarePants Star Trek: Lower Decks Avatar: The Last Airbender Avatar: The Legend of Korra Beavis and Butt-Head Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Hey Arnold! The Ren & Stimpy Show Abby Hatcher, Fuzzly Catcher The Backyardigans Rugrats Dora the Explorer The Penguins of Madagascar Drawn Together The Wild Thornberrys 30-Day Trial $5.99+ / month paramountplus.

Sony Pictures

There’s nothing more powerful than nostalgia, and thanks to the Broadway and West End musical Matilda and its Netflix adaptation, we've been able to get a strong recurring dose of it. In 1996, millennials’ lives changed forever when the iconic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda premiered, starring Mara Wilson in the titular role, and then-married Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman as her parents.

But now that we’ve learned that Jimmy Karz, who played the cake-eating Bruce Bogtrotter, is a full-fledged doctor, we can’t help but wonder where the other Matilda children are today. So where is the entire Matilda cast now?

Mara Wilson (Matilda)Sony Pictures / Getty Images

Now 36-year-old Mara Wilson left Hollywood four years after her big breaks in Matilda, Miracle on 34th Street, and Mrs. Doubtfire. She was later in Thomas the Tank Engine, but that may have been her last major...

Mid-July doesn’t exactly constitute the dog days of summer, but for parents with kids to keep entertained it’s certainly close enough. Summer break is only half over for most kids across the United States, and that means parents have at least another month of kids with nothing but time on their hands.

To combat the boredom that can crop up during this time of year, parents should check out Sling Freestream. Freestream is, as the name suggests, completely free to all users, whether they subscribe to Sling TV’s live TV service or not. The service offers hundreds of free streaming channels, including some selections that are tailor-made for keeping children entertained.

Watch Now $0 / month sling.com What Are the Top Kids Channels Available on Sling Freestream?

Sling Freestream’s channel count has grown to over 400, and it offers more than 41,000 titles to stream on-demand as well. No...

Mumbai, June 7 (Ians) Actress Rasika Dugal has commenced shooting for an exciting new web show in the city of lakes, Udaipur in Rajasthan.

While the project’s details are under wraps, sources have revealed that it is a highly anticipated production by a major production house. Rasika will play as one of the protagonists.

Rasika flew to Udaipur in the first week of June to begin the first schedule, which will extend until the first week of July. Subsequently, the shooting will move to Mumbai for the second schedule in August.

Rasika shared her enthusiasm for the new endeavour on her Instagram account, where she posted a picture reading the script against a stunning backdrop. The hashtags she used, including #UdaipurDiaries, #ShootLife, and #Udaipur, hinting about the new project.

Among her upcoming releases is the Amazon Prime supernatural thriller ‘Adhura’, which promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

AppleTV+ has unveiled its kids’ and family summer slate, which features new Peanuts content coming to the streamer this summer alongside its returning series.

The new Peanuts content includes the third season of “The Snoopy Show,” which premieres on June 9, and “Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie,” a special that follows “endearing introvert Marcie as she helps her friends in her own unique way” which premieres on August 18.

In an expansion of its partnership with WildBrain, the tech giant will also debut two new original series in 2024: “Camp Snoopy,” featuring Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts along with Charlie Brown and friends as they enjoy an adventure-filled summer outdoors and “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin,” a special uncovering the origin story of one of Peanuts’ most beloved characters and how he ultimately makes friends with Charlie Brown and the gang.

Additional classic Peanuts titles from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide will...

[Editor’s Note: Tubefilter Charts is a weekly rankings column from Tubefilter with data provided by GospelStats. It’s exactly what it sounds like; a top number ranking of YouTube channels based on statistics collected within a given time frame. Check out all of our Tubefilter Charts with new installments every week right here.]

Scroll down for this week’s Tubefilter Chart.

The top two channels in our Global Top 50 ranking are neck and neck.

The two titans that have dominated our charts over the past few years are separated by just a few million views. Meanwhile, a mix of TV hubs and Shorts standouts populate the rest of the Top 50.

Chart Toppers

Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes rode a hot streak to four straight first-place finishes in February’s Global Top 50 charts. As the calendar stretches into March, the American producer of kid-friendly content is still on top of YouTube. With 645.4 million weekly views, Cocomelon maintained its hold atop our worldwide ranking,...

‘Motorway’ Director In The Driving Seat

Cheang Pou Soi (better known as Soi Cheang) whose latest film “Mad Fate” will premiere this month at the Berlin Film Festival, will be further honored next month when the Hong Kong International Film Festival makes him its Filmmaker in Focus.

He was born in Macau, but gained his footing in the much larger Hong Kong film industry, under the tutelage of Ringo Lam, Andrew Lau, Joe Ma, Wilson Yip and Johnnie To. He achieved a breakthrough with 1999 digital video “Our Last Day.”

“Cheang is a key figure among Hong Kong’s post-1997 generation of filmmakers and notable for his sombre but unmistakably personal visual style,” Hkiff Society director Albert Lee said in a statement. “He seldom deviates from mainstream storytelling conventions, but innovatively explores new boundaries of filmmaking across different genres, from horror and thriller to action films. In the stark dystopia he creates,...

Exclusive: Mattel is putting gas in the tank of its Warner Bros-Bad Robot movie Hot Wheels with writers Dalton Leeb and Nicholas Jacobson-Larson boarding to pen the live-action adaptation of the 54-year old racecar toys.

Robbie Brenner, EP for Mattel Films, will lead the project alongside VP Kevin McKeon, VP and creative executive Andrew Scannell. Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen are overseeing for Bad Robot.

Related Story Christoph Waltz To Lead Action-Comedy ‘Old Guy’ For ‘Con Air’ Director Simon West; Highland Film Group Launching For EFM Related Story 'Elvis' Studio Warner Bros On Lisa Marie Presley Death: "A Devoted Mother, Beloved Daughter, Loving Friend" Related Story 'House Party' Review: Calmatic's Feature-Film Debut Reboot Is Overshadowed By The Original

Nick and Dalton sold their original sci-fi spec, Endurance, to Netflix with Simon Kinberg producing in a multi-studio bidding war. The script follows a group of AI robots that...

Mediawan Kids & Family’s animation label Somewhere Animation is set to produce its first show, “Chefclub Adventures,” a colorful comedy series set in the world of cooking.

The Paris-based company, which is dedicated to 2D animation, is partnering up with the popular brand and studio Chefclub to create the series.

Founded in 2016 by three brothers, Chefclub runs an online digital cooking channel and website drawing 2.5 billion views each month worldwide, including 390 million views each month in France and one billion in the U.S., according to Mediawan.

The family-owned business, whose mantra is to introduce young audiences to cooking in a way that is accessible, fun and entertaining, currently boasts more than 110 million subscribers worldwide.

Somewhere Animation, founded and headed by Arthur Colignon, is one of the latest additions to Mediawan Kids & Family. The large group is behind a flurry of series based on new and iconic brands, from “The Little Prince,...

British kids’ TV has a fairly solid tradition of being really f-ing harrowing. If you’re old enough to remember The Boy From Space, Zelda from The Terrahawks, or Mister Noseybonk, you’ll know what we’re on about. You need only to check out the public information films of the 70s and 80s to understand how little regard for youngsters’ mental well being our broadcasters had. So, you know, Brit kids: double hard.

This, however, is not an actual example of Brit TV being terrifying, but one of a Thomas & Friends Halloween special which ended up with a slightly bizarre difference between its UK and US versions:

Thomas and his fellow engine Emily are sent to the smelter’s yard for a nighttime collection of some iron, but get spooked by pranks set up by diesels Harry and Bert, and become convinced there’s a g-g-g-ghoooost! Emily ends...

Rasika Dugal has been receiving immense love and appreciation for her portrayal of Neeti Singh in ‘Delhi Crime’ Season 2. She is now all set to star in the dramedy ‘Little Thomas’.

Little Thomas is a film directed by National Award Winning Director Kaushal Oza. Rasika and Kaushal have previously collaborated on a short film ‘The Miniaturist of Junagadh’.

The production went on floors recently and will be shot across Mumbai and Goa for a month.

Talking about this exciting new project Rasika said, “Little Thomas is a beautiful and lyrical story about a Goan family. I have known Kaushal since we were students at Ftii. He has a quiet and unique style of storytelling which I am naturally drawn to. Shooting times are always chaotic but I feel we are creating something special.”

A gently told tale by @kabiraseeking 'The Miniaturist Of Junagadh', is playing at @nyindianff!

Also, the first...

Actress Rasika Dugal, who is currently basking in the success of her latest release ‘Delhi Crime 2’, will next be seen in a dramedy titled ‘Little Thomas’.

‘Little Thomas’ is a film directed by National Award-winning director Kaushal Oza. Rasika and Kaushal have previously collaborated on a short film ‘The Miniaturist of Junagadh’.

Talking about the new project Rasika said: “Little Thomas is a beautiful and lyrical story about a Goan family.”

“I have known Kaushal since we were students at Ftii. He has a quiet and unique style of storytelling which I am naturally drawn to. Shooting times are always chaotic but I feel we are creating something special.”

The production went on floors recently and will be shot across Mumbai and Goa for a month.

Rasika’s upcoming projects include ‘Mirzapur 3’, ‘Adhura’, ‘Spike’, ‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli’, and ‘Fairy Folk’.

Stake

Japan’s biggest film group Toho announced that it has taken a controlling stake in Tia (previously Toho Interactive Animation), a production company behind the “100 Nichikan Ikita Wani,” film and anime series “iii icecrin,” “iii icecrin2” “Ninja Collection” and “That Is the Bottleneck.”

Originally known as I&a, the company was established in 2017 by Ilca and Anima. The name changed to Tia after Toho bought a nearly 35 from the two founders in 2020. Toho has now bought out Anima’s stake, giving it a 67.4 majority holding and cause to rename the company again, this time to Toho Animation Studio. Deal terms were not disclosed.

Keiji Ota, managing executive officer of Toho, in charge of the studio’s video business and digital content division, is to be appointed as president and representative director at Toho Animation Studio.

Toho has been ramping up slowly in animation over the past ten years and...

Thomas the Tank Engine has a new friend. The beloved children’s franchise has released photos of its first autistic character, Bruno the Brake Car, who will be introduced during the Season 26 premiere of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go (airing Monday, Sept. 12 at 8:30 am Et/Pt on Cartoon Network).

Voiced by neurodivergent actor Chuck Smith, Bruno is described as a “joyful, pun-making brake car. He is great at his job and keeps big, heavy cargo steady with his strong brakes — a vital role in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train,...

The beloved Thomas & Friends cartoon franchise will introduce its first autistic character this month when Bruno the Brake Car makes his debut on Cartoon Network’s Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

Voiced by autistic actor Chuck Smith, Bruno premieres as a new series regular on Monday, September 12. The episode airs at 8:30 a.m. Et/Pt on Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito in the U.S. In Canada the episode will air on September 17 at 8:50 a.m. Et/Pt on Treehouse and Stacktv.

The new character was announced by Mattel Television, which developed Bruno in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Easterseals Southern California, as well as writers and spokespeople with autism including Daniel Share-Strom and Aaron Likens.

Mattel describes Bruno as “a joyful, pun-making brake car” who “is great at his job and keeps big, heavy cargo steady with his strong brakes—a vital role...

Thomas & Friends will introduce its first-ever autistic character, appearing alongside Thomas the Tank Engine, later this month.

On Wednesday (7 September), it was reported that nine-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia will be heard as Bruce the Brake Car on the hit children’s TV show, beginning 21 September.

Garcia, who hails from Reading, UK, was cast to play the character with the help of the National Autistic Society (Nas), the BBC reported.

In its statement about Bruce the Brake Car, published by The Guardian, Mattel said it had “carefully curated” the character to “ensure an accurate fictional representation of autism”.

The US toy giant, which acquired the company behind Thomas the Tank Engine in 2011, said the character rolls in reverse at the end of the train – “giving him a unique perspective on the world”.

Bruno is described as a “joyful, pun-making brake car” who is detail-oriented and enjoys schedules, routine and knows...

Indian actor Rasika Dugal is on a roll, with season 2 of Emmy-winning Netflix series “Delhi Crime” streaming, season 3 of Amazon Prime Video series “Mirzapur” filming and several other series and films in the works.

Dugal describes season 2 of “Delhi Crime” as “very different from season 1, but still very sensitively and beautifully told,” adding that the series is minutely detailed.

While the first season revolved around an horrific 2012 rape case, which caught the attention of the world, the second season follows multiple murders, which are similarly done, and the police investigates.

“It is really about the vulnerability of senior citizens and also the very stark class divide, which is very apparent in a city like Delhi. Somehow, visually in Delhi, it’s much more around than anywhere else. And the season really talks about that very sensitively and carefully and also throws light on the way we treat marginalized communities,” Dugal told Variety.

Image Source: Getty / Matt Winkelmeyer / WireImage

"Bullet Train" is packed with so much fast-paced chaos, you might have missed the sneaky Percy Jackson Easter egg hidden in its script. The action movie features a slew of codenamed assassins, including Ladybug (Brad Pitt), Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry), Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), The Prince (Joey King), The Wolf (Bad Bunny), and The Hornet (Zazie Beetz). One of the few non-murderous characters aboard the high-speed train across Japan is The Son, portrayed by a long-haired, tattoo-covered Logan Lerman. Yep, this is where the Percy Jackson reference comes into play.

The son of Russian crime lord White Death, Lerman's character is being escorted to Kyoto by dynamic duo Lemon and Tangerine. The former has a love for the animated series "Thomas & Friends," often comparing its humanoid trains to the personality traits of those he crosses paths with. Upon meeting The Son, Lemon quips that he's similar to Percy,...

A live-action movie based on the Matchbox die-cast toy vehicles is in development at Skydance Media and Mattel.

This is the 15th feature production Mattel has in the works after American Girl, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, Uno, View-Master, Wishbone, the Christmas Balloon and Barbie, the latter a Warner Bros title currently filming with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the icon roles of Barbie and Ken.

“For nearly 70 years, Matchbox has carried enormous cultural relevance and inspired generations of kids to unleash their imaginations, combining what they see in the world every day with what they dream their own world to be,” said Robbie Brenner, Executive Producer of Mattel Films. “We look forward to working with our incredible partners at Skydance Media to craft a story for the big screen that evokes the same,...

Another iconic Mattel brand is racing off the toy shelves and onto the big screen. Mattel Films and Skydance Media are developing a live-action film based on the Matchbox vehicles toy line.

Created in 1953 by automotive expert Jack Odell, Matchbox are a series of die-cast vehicle models that take their name from the fact that they can fit inside a matchbox. Over 70 years, the brand has expanded to include larger models, action figures, collectibles and other products. According to Mattel, one Matchbox car is sold every second.

“For nearly 70 years, Matchbox has carried enormous cultural relevance and inspired generations of kids to unleash their imaginations, combining what they see in the world every day with what they dream their own world to be,” Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with our incredible partners at Skydance Media to craft a story...

Click here to read the full article.

Joining the ranks of Polly Pocket, Uno and Masters of the Universe, Matchbox is the latest toy line to get the movie treatment from Mattel Films.

Mattel is partnering with Skydance for the project based on the toy vehicle line, which was popularized in the ’50s and ’60s as miniatures of cars that were small enough to fit in a — you guessed it — matchbox. According to Mattel, one Matchbox car is sold every second.

David Coggeshall, who was behind Paramount’s Orphan: First Kill and Lee Daniels’s upcoming untitled Netflix possession thriller, is writing the screenplay for the project. For Mattel Films, the Matchbox project will be led by Elizabeth Bassin and Andrew Scannell. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger and Aimee Rivera will oversee for Skydance Media.

Mattel has a packed development slate, which includes projects that range from American Girl...

A live-action “Matchbox” movie, inspired by the iconic real-world die-cast toy vehicle line, is being developed by Skydance Media and Mattel Films, the companies announced on Tuesday.

The screenplay will be written by three-time Black Lister David Coggeshall, who wrote the upcoming “Orphan: First Kill” for Paramount as well as Lee Daniels’s untitled Netflix possession thriller filming in Pittsburgh and drafts of “Thundercats” for Warner Bros.

“For nearly 70 years, Matchbox has carried enormous cultural relevance and inspired generations of kids to unleash their imaginations, combining what they see in the world every day with what they dream their own world to be,” Mattel Films executive producer Robbie Brenner said in a statement. “We look forward to working with our incredible partners at Skydance Media to craft a story for the big screen that evokes the same, imaginative spirit of this beloved Mattel franchise and delights fans of all ages.

Apple TV+ has shared the trailer for the new kids and family live-action animated hybrid series ‘Lovely Little Farm’ from Darrall Macqueen.

The story follows sisters Jill and Jacky as they love and nurture all the animals on their farm nestled in lavender fields. Being a young farmer isn’t easy, but every day brings these sisters adventure and a chance to grow. The live-action animated hybrid uses the latest computer-generated technology, working with Industrial Light and Magic, to bring the series to life.

Created by BAFTA Award winners Maddy Darrall and Billy Macqueen along with Catherine Williams. Newcomer Levi Howden stars as ‘Jill’ with Kassidi Roberts joining as ‘Jacky,’ and the series also features the voice talents of BAFTA Award nominee Shirley Henderson as Quackety Duck Duck, Dominique Moore (“Thomas & Friends”) as Pickle Pony, SAG Award nominee Joel Fry as Al Alpaca and Canan Yildiz-Husbands as Bif & Bop.

J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot will produce a live-action Hot Wheels film in the works at Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures, the companies announced today.

Hot Wheels is Mattel’s 54-year-old brand of toy cars, which is billed as the world’s leading vehicle franchise, representing and uniting all segments of car culture. The upcoming feature based on the beloved IP is described as a high-throttle actioner, which will showcase some of the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks and motorcycles.

Hot Wheels is No. 1 selling toy in the world, according to The Npd Group/Retail Tracking Service, with over 8 billion vehicles sold. The brand also has proved its influence in automotive and pop culture over the years via collaborations with global leaders in automotive, streetwear, fashion, luxury, entertainment, gaming, action sports and motorsports. Vice President Kevin McKeon and Creative Executive Andrew Scannell will lead the film project for Mattel Films,...

The wait for “Bridgerton” Season 2 is over at last. As usual, Netflix has a robust lineup of new movies and shows streaming in March, including the return of the lusty Shondaland Regency romance series that left audiences swooning after Season 1 debuted in December 2021.

Other new shows on Netflix this month include the thriller series “Pieces of Her” starring Bella Heathcote and Toni Collette as a mother-daughter duo contending with the mother’s past after a shocking act of violence uncover long-hidden secrets. Also debuting this month is the “Big Mouth” spinoff “Human Resources,” which “pulls back the curtain on the daily lives of the creatures – Hormone Monsters, Depression Kitties, Shame Wizards, and many more – that help humans journey through every aspect of life from puberty to childbirth to the twilight years.”

In the realm of new Netflix Original movies, “The Adam Project” is the sci-fi film from “Stranger Things” and...

Netflix brings one of its biggest shows back to the streaming service in March with the return of “Bridgerton.” The second season of the 2021 Emmy Award nominee for Best Drama series debuts on March 25. But there are loads of other original shows and movies coming to Netflix in March 2022 – including the Ryan Reynolds blockbuster “The Adam Project” – plus legacy titles such as “Shrek,” “Top Gun,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Dunkirk.” Here’s everything coming to Netflix in March 2022 and what’s leaving the service in March as well.

What’s new on Netflix in March 2022

Coming soon

800 Meters

Tomorrow

March 1

The Guardians of Justice

Worst Roommate Ever

21

21 Bridges

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Battleship

Christine

Coach Carter

Due Date

Freddy vs. Jason

Gattaca

The Gift

Redemption

The Replacements

Richie RichThe Shawshank Redemption

Shooter

Shrek

Shrek 2

Sorry to Bother You

Starship Troopers

Texas Chainsaw 3D...

Mattel is developing the live-action family drama Christmas Balloon, which will be written by Gabriela Revilla Lugo (A Million Little Things) based off a true story.

The film follows a young girl, Dáyami, living in a Mexican border town who tries to send her Christmas list to Santa tied to a balloon. The balloon is found by Randy and Marcella Heiss, a couple in Arizona grieving the loss of their own child, who make it their mission to fulfill the girl’s touching Christmas wishes. Mattel worked with the couple and donated toys to fulfill Dáyami’s wish towards a brighter future.

“Much like Dáyami’s balloon itself, the journey of this touching story and Mattel’s direct role in fulfilling her real-life wishes made it a must-do for us,” said Kevin McKeon, VP of Mattel Films. “We were immediately struck by this little girl’s spirit and the story’s positive message.

Nickelodeon and Mattel have scared up a cast for its upcoming live-action TV musical movie Monster High, tapping Miia Harris, Ceci Balagot, Nayah Damasen, Case Walker, Kyle Selig and more.

Directed and executive produced by Todd Holland, Monster High follows Clawdeen Wolf (Harris), who was born half human and half werewolf, after she arrives at her new school, Monster High. She quickly makes friends with her classmates Frankie Stein (Balagot) and Draculaura *Damasen), and for the first time in her life, Clawdeen feels like she has finally found a place where she fits in and can truly be herself, despite keeping her human half a secret. When a devious plan to destroy Monster High threatens to reveal her real identity, Clawdeen must learn to embrace her true monster heart and find a way to save the day.

Also joining the cast are Marci T. House, Scotch Ellis Loring, Steve Valentine,...

Highest-grossing opening film was in 10th place.

RankFilm (Distributor)Three-day gross (Sep 17-19)Total gross to dateWeek 1 Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (Disney) £2.4m £15.8m 3 2 Free Guy (Disney) £674,645 £15.3m 6 3 Respect (Universal) £377,395 £1.2m 2 4 Candyman (Universal) £323,350 £4.3m 4 5 The Paw Patrol Movie (Paramount) £262,000 £7.6m 6

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.37

The UK-Ireland top five was comprised entirley of holdovers for the three-day September 17-19 weekend.

Disney’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings held top spot for a third consecutive week, with a drop of 34% bringing in £2.4m. It now has a decent £15.8m in total, rising to 22nd...

Distributors releasing titles before James Bond takes screens.

Musical adaptation Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, action thriller Gunpowder Milkshake and Mark Cousins’ documentary The Story of Looking are three of 19 new films landing in UK-Ireland cinemas this weekend, as distributors look for screen space in advance of No Time To Die in two weeks.

The number of releases each week has been steadily increasing throughout the summer, with just eight on June 4, two weeks after cinemas reopened in England. This has risen to 15 last weekend, and jumped further to 19 this time out.

The increase is a welcome sign for the theatrical industry,...

Toy company Mattel is staffing up its television department.

The Barbie and Masters of the Universe firm has hired former NBC exec Phil Breman as Vice President of Live Action Development, where he will oversee development across both scripted and unscripted shows.

He reports to Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mattel Television.

Breman (left) was previously VP, Current Programming at NBCUniversal, where he worked on series such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Manifest, and Will & Grace. Prior to his role at NBC, he developed several scripted kids and family series at Disney Channel including Good Luck Charlie and Jessie.

It comes as Mattel ramps up its television offering; it has a live-action TV move with Nickelodeon and is developing unscripted series including Barbie Fashion Battle. On the animated side, it has Netflix series set with the Masters of the Universe franchise, television movies Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday and Barbie: Big City,...

Sweeping vistas. Hand-to-hand combat. Birthing dragons (kind of). For most TV fans, “The Wheel of Time” should call to mind “Game of Thrones” fairly quickly, but the epic fantasy book series pre-dates George R.R. Martin’s novels by about six years, and its TV adaptation has been in the works at Amazon for quite some time. The wait is nearly over. Amazon Prime Video unveiled the trailer for the upcoming Rosamund Pike-led fantasy series on Thursday, and you can watch it below.

Amazon’s synopsis for the series reads:

“Set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine (Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one...

WarnerMedia Kids & Family has released a trailer for Cartoonito’s upcoming preschool block launching this fall on HBO Max and Cartoon Network, as well as the first look at Ellen DeGeneres’ new animated show.

“Little Ellen” is a 2D animated children’s show that “explores the world through the eyes of a hilarious and unpredictable seven-year-old Ellen Degeneres,” according to its description. The series will follow a young Degeneres as she ventures into her vibrant, musical hometown of New Orleans, taking big risks, making mistakes and learning from them. In the sneak peek, which you can view above, Ellen can already be seen starting her antics as she and her friends teach a macaw bird a silly dance.

In addition to “Little Ellen,” a preview of the original CGI-animated show “Lucas the Spider,” based on a viral YouTube clip, was also released on Thursday. It follows the adventures of a young,...

Micro-doll Polly Pocket is getting amplified for the big screen in a new live-action Mattel and MGM movie that Golden Globe Girls winner Lena Dunham will write and direct, with Lily Collins set to star as the title character as well as produce.

Dunham’s production company Good Thing Going will also produce the movie about a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship. Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon will oversee the feature for Mattel Films. Sandino Moya-Smith and Winnie Carrillo will lead for MGM. Good Thing Going’s Liz Watson and Michael P. Cohen will serve as EPs.

“Polly Pocket was responsible for countless hours of childhood escapism for me – Polly gave me a tiny world of magic and autonomy to narrate, so it’s pretty poetic to be tackling these same ideas now as a director collaborating with the brilliant Lily Collins, Robbie Brenner, Mattel and MGM,...

Vin Diesel will develop and is also attached to star in a live-action “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” movie, based on the classic tabletop game featuring battling robots for Universal and Mattel.

Diesel will develop via his One Race Films banner. Mattel Films will produce the project alongside Diesel and Samantha Vincent (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) from One Race Films.

“To take the classic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em game, with Mattel as my partner, and align it with the kind of world-building, franchise-making success we have had with Universal, is truly exciting,” Diesel said in a statement Monday.

Ryan Engle wrote the screenplay for the action adventure, which follows a father and son who form an unlikely bond with an advanced war machine. Kevin McKeon will lead the project for Mattel Films.

“We are proud to bring this iconic piece of Mattel IP to life on the big...

The Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie is becoming a reality. Mattel Films, Universal and Vin Diesel are teaming for a live-action feature take on the classic tabletop boxing robots game. Diesel will star in the movie and produce with his One Race Films label and partner Samantha Vincent.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots was first launched in 1966, inspired by an arcade boxing game which pitted Red Rocker against Blue Bomber in a match to knock the rival’s block off.

Rampage and The Commuter scribe Ryan Engle wrote the screenplay which follows a father and son who form an unlikely bond with an advanced war machine. Kevin McKeon will lead the project for Mattel Films.

“To take the classic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em game, with Mattel as my partner, and align it with the kind of world building, franchise making success we have had with Universal, is truly exciting,...

Nickelodeon and Mattel, Inc. are teaming up for an animated series as well as a live-action TV-movie musical based on the decade-old Monster High fashion doll franchise.

The series will follows the characters of Clawdeen Wolf (pictured), Draculaura and Frankie Stein “as they navigate the hilarity of high school in the hallowed halls of Monster High.” Shea Fontana (Polly Pocket, DC Super Hero Girls) will serve as showrunner.

More from TVLineJoJo Siwa to Head Live-Action Musical The J Team at NickelodeonA Wee SpongeBob & Friends Attend Kamp Koral in New Series' First LookStar Trek Vet Kate Mulgrew to Resurrect Janeway for...

HBO Max and Cartoon Network are launching a new preschool programming block, Cartoonito, which is aiming to have 50 titles available within the next two years. For starters, on Wednesday the brands greenlit new series “Bugs Bunny Builders.”

Cartoonito programming will be based on Humancentric Learning, WarnerMedia Kids & Family said on Wednesday, which “aims to support every child’s humanness by celebrating their unique selves and encouraging them to interact with others with empathy, respect, and fairness.”

How nice.

WarnerMedia and “Sesame Street’s” Sesame Workshop also announced the new preschool series “Bea’s Block” on Wednesday at the (virtual) Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour. “Bea’s Block” draws on the ubiquity of block toys to bring the vibrant, diverse neighborhood of Blocktown to life, according to WarnerMedia Kids & Family. The show centers on bold and curious 5-year-old Bea as she and her friends spread kindness and build empathy through playful adventures in their community.

Mattel Films is developing a live action heist comedy “Uno” movie inspired by the card game, the company announced on Thursday.

Mattel Films will produce the project alongside Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Yachty. In addition, Quality Control’s Kevin “Coach K” Lee, Pierre “P” Thomas and Brian Sher will produce for Quality Films.

Marcy Kelly wrote the screenplay for the action heist comedy, set in the underground hip hop world of Atlanta. Robbie Brenner is the executive producer, and Kevin McKeon is the supervising producer. Both will lead the project for Mattel Films.

“At Mattel Films, we are looking to explore stories that bring our brands to life in unexpected ways,” said Brenner in a statement to TheWrap. “Uno is a game that transcends generations and cultures and we look forward to partnering with Lil Yachty, as well as with Coach, P and Brian Sher, to transform the classic Uno game into a comedic action adventure.