Ayo Edebiri to Write and Star in A24’s ‘Barney’ Movie

The ongoing story about the making of the Barney film takes yet another unexpected turn, with The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri joining the cast as a new addition.

As reported by Variety, the award-winning actress is set to both act in and pen the script for the Barney movie, inspired by the enduring kids’ TV show that revolves around an imaginative purple dinosaur.

Additionally, an unexpected turn is that the movie is being developed by A24, a company not typically involved in producing children’s films, especially not ones like the original Barney and Friends series which aired on PBS from the 1990s to the 2000s, known more for their simplicity and wholesomeness rather than complexity.

In the program, a soft toy version of Barney would magically change into a large, chatty, and melodious purple dinosaur, guiding children on exciting journeys (and humming tunes, one of them being his catchy theme song, “I Love You,” which might just be playing in your mind now after reading the title.)

For quite some time, actor Daniel Kaluuya has been linked to a Barney film project, with executives describing it as a distinct addition to the realm of movies based on toys. Remarkably, they compared this idea to the films “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation”. According to Variety, Kaluuya is currently engaged in the new Barney concept, but solely in a producing capacity.

When Kaluyya first got involved in the Barney movie, he gave this quote:

Barney, a character who was present in numerous childhoods, subsequently faded into obscurity, leaving people puzzled about him. There’s great anticipation as we delve into this contemporary figure of heroism and examine if his ‘I love you, you love me’ message remains relevant over the years.

How might a film titled “A24 Barney,” starring Ayo Edebiri and Daniel Kaluuya, possibly manifest? It’s hard to imagine such a concept!

The Scariest Kids Movies in History

10. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Stepping into the realm of film criticism, I must say that the enchanting movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s timeless classic, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” is an absolute delight for young and old alike. The story revolves around a destitute yet hopeful boy whose dreams, much like golden tickets, seem to be beyond his reach.

However, upon closer scrutiny, it becomes clear that this seemingly innocent tale of a magical candy factory harbors a more complex narrative. At its core lies the enigmatic figure of Willy Wonka, an eccentric confectioner who embarks on a twisted quest to find his successor by whittling down a group of lucky children one by one. Suddenly, this sugary wonderland transforms into a somewhat ominous playground for the darker side of human nature.

9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Walt Disney’s first full-length animated masterpiece was brimming with eeriness. The Haunting Trees aside, it’s hard to ignore the unsettling nature of an evil queen who plots to keep the heart of an innocent girl within a box. Fortunately, the Seven Dwarfs provided some much-needed respite and cheer.

8. The Last Unicorn

The 1982 animated film “The Last Unicorn,” a collaboration between Japan and America, is brimming with strange scenes, such as meetings with a high-on-life butterfly, a menacing skeleton, and let’s just say… an endowed tree. However, none of these instances were as unsettling as the Red Bull, a terrifying, fire-red demon creature that continues to linger in our nightmares.

7. James and the Giant Peach

Overflowing with centipedes, spiders, and wicked step-relatives (oh dear!), James and the Giant Peach was a spine-tingling tale for youngsters. The dark and eerie animation style of producers Tim Burton and director Henry Selick made the already chilling story even more unsettling, causing many children to feel apprehensive while watching. Does anyone else feel a shiver down their spine when they take a bite out of a peach?

6. Pinocchio

The enchanting Disney tale of old appears to hide a significant amount of disturbing undertones. For instance, Pinocchio experiences a death-like state before being revived by the Blue Fairy. Additionally, the existence of Pleasure Island, where children are allowed to gamble, smoke, and drink until they transform into donkeys and are sold as slaves, is quite troubling, to say the least. This certainly isn’t the typical fairytale we’re used to.

5. All Dogs Go To Heaven

As a cinephile pondering upon the silver screen, I must confess that this film stands alone as the one daring to portray a canine’s descent into the underworld. If that chilling imagery doesn’t haunt your dreams for years, brace yourself for a dog-run crime syndicate and an unrelenting barrage of brutality.

Our four-legged protagonist Charlie, in a valiant effort, manages to save an innocent child’s life, but at the cost of his own. Such a selfless act earns him a spot in heaven, yet he must still meet his maker here on Earth. Is this bittersweet conclusion a harbinger of hope or a catalyst for childhood philosophical quandaries? Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster as the closing credits play and the existential questions begin to swirl.

4. The Secret of NIMH

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: “Back in 1982, an animated film titled The Secret of NIMH captivated me. This movie, intriguingly inspired by real-life experiments conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health involving lab rats and their struggles with pneumonia and drug side-effects in mid-20th century, left me puzzled as a kid – how could such a profound story be meant for us?

3. Watership Down

Drawing inspiration from Richard Adams’ 1972 novel “Watership Down”, the story follows a group of rabbits setting off on a dangerous odyssey to protect their entire warren from impending human annihilation. Yet, the movie exceeded our expectations in terms of graphic violence, leaving us with vivid memories of ferocious rabbits that may forever alter our perception of these seemingly innocent creatures as adorable pets. From now on, bunnies might not appear so “cuddly” anymore.

2. Return to Oz

In a different wording: The original story of The Wizard of Oz had some scary parts, but its less popular follow-up, Return to Oz, was truly petrifying. When Dorothy is forced into electroshock treatment by Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, she returns to a post-disaster Oz filled with unsettling characters. The Wheelers, part human, part bicycle, are more intimidating than the Flying Monkeys could ever be. If you watched this movie as a child, consider yourself unfortunate. Point blank.

1. Coraline

This animated film, titled “Coraline“, might be one of the most spine-tingling children’s movies ever made. The dark and gloomy portrayal of Coraline’s world, coupled with her harrowing confrontation with the Other Mother, creates a chilling atmosphere that penetrates to the very core. Both kids and adults will find it equally unsettling. This movie delves into profound themes such as family values and the significance of cherishing what you have before it disappears, making it rather thought-provoking for a story about an 11-year-old girl with blue hair.

2025-02-25 22:54