Mattel Studios has found its writer for the upcoming View-Master live-action movie. Renowned screenwriter and director Phil Johnston has been tapped to write the script for the feature film from Mattel Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Escape Artists. The project is based on the 86-year-old 3D image toy, which has entertained generations of children since its debut.
Phil Johnston to write View-Master live-action movie for Mattel
Johnston, best known for co-writing Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet, as well as Zootopia, will bring his expertise to the View-Master live-action movie. His previous works were both commercial and critical successes, with Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet earning Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature in 2013 and 2019.
Announcing the news, Tom McNulty, Senior Executive, Film at Mattel Studios, said, “View-Master has always been pure magic to me—a simple toy that opened entire worlds beyond imagination. It’s an incredible honor to have the brilliant Phil Johnston, one of the most soulful and inventive storytellers in film, at the helm of the View-Master reimagining.” (via Deadline)
Johnston also shared his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I want to bring the wonder I felt as a bowl-haired kid in the 80s to the big screen now, and working with Mattel, Sony and Escape Artists is giving me the chance to do just that.”
The View-Master toy is a hand-held stereoscopic viewer that allows users to see 3D images by clicking through circular image reels. For decades, studios partnered with the brand to release special reels featuring images from popular movies and TV shows, making it one of the most iconic visual toys of the 20th century. Now, the View-Master live-action movie continues Mattel’s push into the live-action genre following the success of Barbie.
Tom McNulty and Arturo Thur de Koós will be overseeing the upcoming film for Mattel Studios. Robbie Brenner, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and others will produce the movie.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.
