Here's a sentence I never imagined writing: a live-action Toys "R" Us movie is officially in development.
According to Variety, Story Kitchen — the creative force behind nearly every recent video game movie adaptation, including the Sonic the Hedgehog films — aims to "capture that sense of childhood wonder through a modern, fast-paced adventure that leverages the Toys 'R' Us brand’s 70-year legacy in the toy industry."
“Toys 'R' Us is a cultural landmark that continues to resonate with the inner child in all of us,” said Story Kitchen co-founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg. “As '80s kids who saw Toys 'R' Us as one of the most enchanting places on the planet, we’re thrilled to collaborate on a film that embodies the adventure, creativity, and nostalgia the brand represents.”
The film draws inspiration from Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, alongside successful toy-to-movie franchises like Barbie. While casting details remain unconfirmed, Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval will produce for Story Kitchen, with Kim Miller Olko producing for Toys "R" Us Studios.
“As the inaugural film for Toys "R" Us, this project presents a thrilling chance to translate our brand’s magic to cinema,” added Miller Olko, president of Toys "R" Us Studios. “It will be an adventure as limitless as play itself, channeling the electric sense of wonder that defines Toys "R" Us. This story will capture the imagination, excitement, and delight that has made Toys "R" Us a beloved destination for generations.”
Last year, Story Kitchen revealed plans for a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto attached. The studio is also developing adaptations of Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.
