A live-action Toys "R" Us movie is currently in development, as reported by Variety. Story Kitchen, the creative force behind numerous recent video game movie adaptations including the Sonic the Hedgehog series, is spearheading this project. Their goal is to encapsulate the essence of childhood wonder in a thrilling, modern adventure that pays homage to the Toys 'R' Us brand's enduring impact over its 70-year history in the toy industry.
Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, expressed their enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Toys 'R' Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today. 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."
Somehow Toys 'R' Us returned. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
The film draws inspiration from classics like Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, as well as contemporary toy-to-movie successes such as Barbie. While specifics about the cast remain under wraps, the production team includes Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval from Story Kitchen, alongside Kim Miller Olko, who is producing for Toys "R" Us Studios.
Miller Olko, President of Toys "R" Us Studios, shared her excitement, saying, "As Toys 'R' Us first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen. 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."
Story Kitchen has also been busy with other projects, including a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto of Blue Beetle fame, as well as adaptations of Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.
