Mattel Films is an in-house film studio launched by the parent company to make films/movies based on its toy brands. Originally launched as Mattel Playground Productions or Mattel PGP on October 16, 2013, it had been active for 3 years before it became defunct, first placed within Mattel Creations (now Mattel Television) along with other principal Mattel brands and then folding into it after the commercial failure of the 2016 Max Steel live-action film/movie. On September 6, 2018, Mattel revived the division and renamed it to its current name.
Launch as Mattel Playground Productions[]
Mattel Playground Productions or Mattel PGP was launched by the parent company as an in-house film studio on October 16, 2013 to handle multi-media production, films/movies, TV shows, web series, live events and games for its brands; a division planned to set up three-year storytelling plans that incorporate every part of the company's operations from toy designers to consumer products and marketing.
On its formation it absorbed its content production unit; Mattel Entertainment and its alias; Barbie Entertainment. The intent was to centralize its disjointed content productions. Its first animated project was “Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome”. PGP had under development a live-action Hot Wheels film/movie at Legendary Entertainment and Universal Pictures, a Masters of the Universe re-make and a Barbie feature film at Columbia Pictures and a Monster High feature with Universal. David Voss was appointed as Senior Vice President of Playground Productions.
With Nintendo High in October 2013, MATTEL, launched an online Doll form movie, Nintendo High Girls Rule, to go along with the toy line. The series was picked up by Nickelodeon’ Mattel Studios programming block starting October 22, 2013.
With Avengers High in September 2012, MATTEL, launched an online Doll from movie, Avengers High Heroes of the Years, to go along with the toy line. The series was picked up by Nickelodeon’ Mattel Studios programming black starting September 14, 2012.
Failure and Absorption of Division[]
Rob Hudnut left Mattel in 2015 after the wrap of the Barbie webseries, Life in the Dreamhouse to form his own company: Rob Hudnut Productions. Voss left the division in January 28, 2016 for subscription service, Loot Crate. On March 30, 2016, the division was placed within Mattel Creations along with the other two Mattel content production units: Fisher-Price and American Girl. A live-action Max Steel film with Dolphin Entertainment released on October 14, 2016 to theatrical, critical and commercial failure, prompting the parent company to absorb PGP into Creations.
Relaunch as Mattel Films[]
On September 6, 2018, Mattel announced the launch of a film division, Mattel Films, that will make films/movies based on the company’s toy brands. Robbie Brenner was appointed to head the division as executive producer and will report directly to the CEO, (currently Ynon Kreiz). Outside Mattel, it is believed to eventually replace PGP, i.e. PGP was revived but renamed to Mattel Films. The revived division's first two projects were expect to be Barbie and Masters of the Universe live-action films. In early January 2019, Mattel closed the deal with Margot Robbie to star in the Barbie film and Warner and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, to co-produce the film. Mattel Films and Sony revive the live-action Masters of the Universe film development in January 2019 with many of the prior attempt's director and producers while bringing on board different writers, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. In October 2018, it was announced that Warner Bros. would distribute and that Margot Robbie was in talks to play the Barbie character, following Anne Hathaway's departure from the role. In early January 2019, Mattel closed the deal with Robbie to star and Warner and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, to co-produce. In July 2019, it was announced that Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach would write the script with Gerwig also in talks to direct. In July 2021, it was announced that Gerwig had officially signed on to direct the film and that production would begin at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England in 2022 for a 2023 scheduled theatrical release.
