Here's a sentence I never thought I'd write: Hollywood is developing a live-action Toys "R" Us movie.
According to Variety, Story Kitchen — the production company behind numerous recent video game adaptations including the Sonic the Hedgehog films — aims to "capture childhood wonder through a contemporary, high-energy adventure honoring the Toys 'R' Us legacy spanning over seven decades in the toy business."
"Toys 'R' Us represents a cultural phenomenon that still resonates with our inner child," commented Story Kitchen founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg. "As children of the '80s who viewed Toys 'R' Us as absolute magic, we're thrilled to develop a film embodying the brand's spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia."
The film draws creative inspiration from Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, along with successful toy-based franchises like Barbie. While casting remains unannounced, Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval will produce for Story Kitchen alongside Kim Miller Olko representing Toys "R" Us Studios.
"As our first theatrical venture, this film presents an incredible opportunity to translate our brand's magic to cinema," stated Miller Olko, president of Toys "R" Us Studios. "The story will mirror the limitless possibilities of play, capturing the wonder that defines Toys "R" Us – delivering imaginative adventures for fans of all ages."
Story Kitchen's expanding slate includes adapting Square Enix's Just Cause franchise with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto, alongside developing film versions of Dredge, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.
