There were always question marks over which lessons that executives from toy making giant Mattel would learn from the roaring success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. Some said it could show the power of giving a top indie filmmaker like Gerwig the budget, time and resources to make a piece of memorable – and at times subversive – cinema which drew on people’s childhood memories. However, it looks like executives have already decided to pick option B: create an intellectual property-driven movie machine, and crank out a film about every toy they can think of to boost profits. Because that’s what people liked about Barbie, right? Mattel wants to create a cinematic universe similar to that of Marvel, following the immense success of its first feature film – and they already have more than a dozen projects in the works. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Products that are already in line to get the Barbie treatment include “Barney”, “Polly Pocket,” and “Hot Wheels”. “Barbie, as a brand, has many different iterations. The product lines of Barbie is a very broad brand. In addition to the main Barbie figure, she has family, she has a lot of elements around in her universe,” Mattel chief executive Ynon Kreiz told Variety. “It’s a very rich universe… It’s a very broad and very elastic brand, in terms of opportunities.” “At the outset, we’re not saying, ‘Okay, let’s think already about movie two and three.’ Let’s get the first one right and make that a success. And if you do that, opportunities open up very quickly, once you establish the first movie as a successful representation of a franchise on the big screen.” “Successful movies lend themselves to more movies,” the CEO added. “Our ambition is to create film franchises.” Robbie Brenner, the Oscar-nominated producer in charge of Mattel’s new film division, said the company was hopeful Barbie would become a box office success, so that it would open the door for franchises like “Masters of the Universe” and “Hot Wheels". “Everybody hopes that when you create a movie that there is going to be a franchise,” Brenner told Variety. “That’s the hope — that it goes on and on and it’s a gift that keeps giving. But, in this day and age, you just want to get the first one right.” Here are the films Mattel wants to make next: Barney Produced by Daniel Kaluuya, the purple dinosaur is going to be made into a live-action movie. Brenner said: I don’t know that it’s necessarily going to be darker. It’s just going to be unique — more of like [Spike Jonze films] Being John Malkovich or an Adaptation." “Any movie that has Barney is not certainly going to be straightforward,” Brenner adds. Referencing the Seth MacFarlane comedies, she quips: “We’re not making Ted. You know what I mean?” The upcoming film will apparently be about “identity and finding who you love and who feels alienated” and “what does it all mean?” Brenner says the film will “be more adult and have adult themes — and sort of be a little bit off-kilter”. Polly Pocket Starring Emily In Paris star Lily Collins, the Polly Pocket dolls will be made into a film directed by Lena Dunham. Brenner said there is already a “great” script, and that Dunham and Collins would be “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.” Hot Wheels This one will be produced by JJ Abrams – because the world needs yet another film about toy racing cars, of course. Abrams has described the adaptation as “grounded and gritty” and said the film will have “real characters that you can relate to, that are three-dimensional, that have emotional journeys”. She added: “Look at any JJ Abrams movie. All of his movies have an incredible story and incredible characters. That was something that was important to him — to make a movie that’s not just going to be fun and exciting, but that has real emotion and real stakes to it.” And plenty more… There is a film about Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, starring Vin Diesel, which could be absolutely bizarre, while another doll franchise movie, American Girl, is “in the works”. Magic 8 Ball will “probably be a PG-13 thriller,” Brenner said, while a Masters Of The Universe film about the superhero He-Man could also become reality. Other projects include Thomas The Tank Engine (yep, that’s right folks) and, in a surprise turn, Uno. How corporate executives think a film about the playing card game will turn out is anybody’s guess. But it’s going to happen. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

WASHINGTON The White House said Monday it is issuing a new strategy and presidential memorandum that aims to

Former Rep. Marion Berry, who was known for blunt rhetoric and his advocacy work for farmers and elderly residents in eastern Arkansas, has died

As many of us face the drudgery of a Monday morning commute and a day holed up at work, it’s almost painful to think of beautiful, far-off lands and breathtaking views. And yet, this is what Google is inviting us to do with today’s interactive Doodle. Head to the search engine’s homepage and you’ll find a slideshow in the style of an illustrated scrapbook, teaching readers all about the Appalachian Trail. The iconic trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, spanning more than 14 US states and 2,190 miles, as it meanders across dense forests, rushing rivers, and soaring mountains. And if you're wondering why the tech company has decided to pay tribute to the famous landmark today, it's because on 2 October 1968, America’s National Trails System Act established the Appalachian Trail as one of the country’s first National Scenic Trails. Hiking the full length of the path can take between five and seven months to complete and requires careful planning. And yet, as Google’s slideshow points out, around 3,000 people attempt this staggering feat each year, with a total of three million people visiting the trail annually. The route has served walking enthusiasts for nearly 100 years, having been completed in 1937. It was first proposed by conservationist Benton MacKaye in 1921, with his original plan calling for a stretch of several self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way, Google notes in its blurb for the Doodle. Then 10 years later, a hiker named Earl Shaffer became the first person to make it from one end to the other. Since then, more than 14,000 people have joined him in completing the trek. Perhaps inevitably for such a legendary trail, it has engendered a number of unique traditions. These include being given a “trail name” by fellow hikers and eating two litres of ice cream at the route’s mid-point. However, the trail’s oldest and most important tradition is to leave it just as you found it so that everyone can enjoy the same natural beauty. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Manchester United apologise for a ticket mishap which saw huge numbers of Galatasaray fans make their way into Old Trafford for their side's 3-2 win.

The St. Louis Cardinals MLB All-Star weekend has been...not great. Nolan Arenado is their only representative, and their former players are excelling.The MLB Home Run Derby consisted of two former St. Louis Cardinals -- Adolis Garcia and Randy Arozarena -- battling against one another in the fir...

Katy Perry's previous comment on the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress has resurfaced, following her performance at King Charles's coronation concert on Sunday (May 7). The popstar wore a metallic gold ball gown as she took to the stage on the grounds of Windsor Castle to perform her hits including 'Roar' and 'Firework,' which Princess Charlotte could be seen singing along to the former. She was a part of the star-studded lineup that also included Lionel Richie, Take That, Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter As a result of the 38-year-old's royal performance, her comments from back in 2018 have reappeared once more where she gave her honest opinion of the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress who got married to Prince Harry that same year. “I would have done one more fitting," Perry told Entertainment Tonight, adding that she preferred Princess Kate's dress when she married Prince William back in 2011. "I’m never not going to tell the truth! One more fitting, but I love you. Kate, Kate, Kate won, Kate won!" Meghan wore a Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller which had a bateau neckline and five-metre-long veil. In comparison Kate's wore an Alexander McQueen gown designed by English designer Sarah Burton, creative director of the luxury fashion house, and the lace design included a V-neckline, long sleeves, a fitted Victorian bodice. However, Perry did go on to wish Meghan and Harry well and also praised Meghan and the humanitarian work she has done. “I’m so happy for them, and, you know, I don’t know them from Adam, but it’s amazing what she’s doing with all this, her humanitarian efforts. You know, the fact that she’s a proud feminist, I love all that," she added. "I support her as another woman and love her and wish them both well.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Ukraine's quest for US-made F-16 fighter jets received a big boost over the weekend when US President Joe Biden gave his backing for Kyiv's pilots to be trained to fly them.

Sources said Rihanna was content with how things were with A$AP Rocky and worried that marriage would ruin things

Jess Brush was never interested in becoming a beauty influencer. She enjoyed doing her own nails instead of going to a nail salon, so following the advice of a friend, she created an alias called the Nailbetch and started posting clips of her Friday manicures on TikTok.

The two musical icons have been in a public feud for over a decade after Elton John allegedly criticized Madonna's 'Die Another Day' theme song

Kaleb Johnson’s 30-yard touchdown run with 4:43 to play in the game gave Iowa a 15-13 win over Illinois on Saturday, clinching the Big Ten West Division title for the Hawkeyes