Ayo Edebiri will write A24’s “millennial angst” Barney movie

The Bear actor is also in talks to star in the film.

By Emma Keates  |  February 25, 2025 | 11:53am
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Film News Ayo Edebiri
Ayo Edebiri will write A24’s “millennial angst” Barney movie

Mattel Films is still on that post-Barbie mission to turn nearly every one of their beloved toys into a film, but at least they seem committed to making them interesting. Case in point: the company just named The Bear star Ayo Edebiri as screenwriter for its upcoming Barney film, which it’s making in collaboration with A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions. Per Variety, Edebiri is also in talks to star. Kaluuya remains a producer on the film, but sources tell the outlet he won’t be in front of the camera.

Edebiri is an inspired choice (because, frankly, putting her in anything is an inspired choice), but specifically because the weird tone Mattel execs set out for this project in 2023 is right up her alley. In a New Yorker profile, exec Kevin McKeon described the project as “surrealistic” in the style of Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze. “We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” he elaborated. “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.” CEO Ynon Kreiz followed up by clarifying that Barney would not be an “odd” movie. Still, this is Bottoms star and Irish darling Ayo Edebiri we’re talking about, so he might be fighting a losing battle on that one. 

Barney wouldn’t be Edebiri’s first writing credit. While she should have already gotten some sort of critic’s award for her perfect Letterboxd reviews, she’s also written for series like What We Do in the Shadows and Dickinson. She recently tested her mettle behind the camera as well, and received a DGA Award nomination for her directorial debut in season three of The Bear. 

 
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