Story Kitchen and Toys“R”Us Studios, the entertainment production arm of the global toy brand, have teamed up to develop a live-action film.
“Toys’R’Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today,” said Story Kitchen co-founders Dmitri M. Johnson & Mike Goldberg, announcing the project. “As ‘80s kids who considered Toys’R’Us one of the most magical places on Earth, we’re honored to partner to create a film that will capture the spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia that Toys’R’Us represents.”
The film, which is in early development, aims to capture that childhood wonder in a modern, fast-paced adventure that taps into the Toys“R”Us brand’s relevance across its more than 70 years in the toy industry.
“As Toys’R’Us’ first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen,” said Kim Miller Olko, president of Toys’R’Us Studios. “It will be a journey as boundless as play itself, evoking the electric sense of wonder that is the essence of Toys’R’Us. This story will capture the imagination, adventure and joy that has made Toys’R’Us a destination for kids of all ages.”
The project has been described as being in the vein of “Night at the Museum,” “Back to the Future” or “Big,” plus other successful toy-inspired narratives like “Jumanji” and “Barbie.” The producers are engaging in preliminary conversations with filmmakers, with casting and additional details to be announced in the coming months.
Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson & Elena Sandoval will produce for Story Kitchen alongside Olko, who produces for Toys“R”Us Studios.
Notably, Story Kitchen, which specializes in the adaptation of video games and other “non-traditional” IP for film and TV, has experience in this realm, beginning with Johnson producing Sega’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” film adaptation for Paramount. Story Kitchen’s current slate includes adaptations of the “Tomb Raider” franchise, including the animated Netflix TV series and live-action TV & film projects at Amazon MGM Studios.
The company is also currently developing: “Just Cause” for Universal, with Ángel Manuel Soto directing and 87North co-producing; “Ruiner” for Universal, with Wes Ball directing; Sega’s “Streets of Rage” for Lionsgate with Escape Artists co-producing; “Toejam & Earl” for Amazon MGM Studios, with Steph Curry co-producing; “It Takes Two” for Amazon MGM Studios; and “SIFU” for Netflix. Story Kitchen has a first-look TV deal at Amazon, as well as a first-look deal at DreamWorks Animation for animated film. The company is represented by WME, Pryor Cashman and TriplePoint PR.
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