Move over Barbie: the latest Mattel property set for cultural domination has been unveiled as Bob the Builder, the chirpy construction worker who debuted 25 years ago on CBBC and is being belatedly brought to the big screen by booty-shaking multi-hyphenate Jennifer Lopez.
The film’s storyline is a twist on the original series, as it follows Roberto (also known as Bob) on his trip to Puerto Rico for a significant construction project. He will confront the challenges impacting the island and delve deeper into the true meaning of building.
According to reports, his adventure aims to honor the lively and diverse cultures of the Caribbean and Latin American countries and their citizens. The director has yet to be announced, but the script will be penned by Felipe Vargas, known for his recent film about a terrifying fairy that haunts an orphanage and collects more than just the kids’ teeth.
Anthony Ramos, known for his roles in both the stage and film adaptations of In the Heights, is set to lend his voice as the main character.
Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films, stated that combining the brilliant ideas of Anthony and Felipe for the story will present this beloved character in a way that both long-time fans of Bob and new audiences will appreciate.
Ramos, who is co-producing with Lopez, stated that some aspects of the movie were influenced by his personal experiences. He also praised the protagonist’s encouraging catchphrase.
He stated that Bob the Builder’s characters have been a source of inspiration for young people globally for many years. The movie showcases friends working together, celebrating their shared home, and the power of love to overcome any challenges. The famous catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes, we can!” embodies the message of determination and teamwork.
Bob the Builder began as a masonry specialist who, along with colleague Wendy and assorted friends, neighbours and talking excavators, took on a variety of construction jobs in a cartoon broadcast on the BBC’s children’s channels between 1999 and 2011.
The show was distributed globally, with slight changes in language and a different voice actor for the US version. Greg Proops took over for Neil Morrissey, who had originally voiced Bob and had a hit single in the UK with “Can We Fix It?”.
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It was announced that Bob and his coworkers would have an extra finger added for the Japanese adaptation of the show, making the total number of digits five. This decision was influenced by the traditional yakuza custom of removing the little finger as a symbol of loyalty – and the producers wanted to convey that Bob and his fellow builders were not associated with the mafia. However, in the end, the original four-fingered version was kept. Similarly, Postman Pat with four fingers also endured a similar situation.
In 2011, Mattel purchased the popular children’s show Thomas & Friends from Bob for $680 million. Three years later, a new version of the show debuted, receiving negative reactions from fans of the original.
Greta Gerwig’s satirical take on the popular Barbie franchise has been a huge hit, setting new records at the box office and receiving eight Oscar nominations. This success has sparked the production of several Mattel-inspired films.
Several of the upcoming films are expected to have a more traditional approach to the toys, while others are anticipated to have a darker tone. These projects include Lena Dunham’s adaptation of Polly Pocket, Daniel Kaluuya’s “adult” version of Barney the Dinosaur that explores millennial angst, and a Hot Wheels movie that JJ Abrams promises will be emotionally charged and realistic.
Source: theguardian.com
