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THOMAS AND FRIENDS: New Thomas the Tank Engine Movie From Mattel in Development

Thomas The Tank Engine

New Thomas the Tank Engine Movie in Development

Toy company Mattel and production company 2Dux will be teaming up on a feature film based on the Thomas & Friends franchise — better known to many audiences as “Thomas the Tank Engine” — with World War Z director Marc Forster set to co-produce.

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“’Thomas’ is a beloved global franchise that focuses on the importance of friendship, a theme that resonates deeply with children and parents around the world,” said Mattel Films chief Robbie Brenner. “Marc is an incredible storyteller and I look forward to partnering with him to tell Thomas’ story in a modern and unexpected way.”

Mattel and 2Dux, which announced the project Tuesday, said Thomas & Friends will be a family adventure blending live-action footage with animation. Mattel Films will co-produce the film alongside Forster and Renée Wolfe, co-founder and co-CEO of 2Dux.

Alyssa Hill (A Taste of Power) and Jesse Wigutow have already written the script. Brenner and Kevin McKeon will helm on behalf of Mattel Films.

Thomas & Friends — celebrating its 75th anniversary this year — teaches children about the world around them through their love of trains. Thomas was first created in 1945 by Reverend Wilbert Awdry in stories written for his son. Today, Thomas’ stories are told through the Thomas & Friends television series, toys, books, apps and more.

“Thomas has been a personal favorite of mine since childhood,” said Forster. “I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Robbie and the entire team at Mattel, and embarking on this beautiful journey with such a timeless property.”

Thomas & Friends is joining other Mattel Films projects in development, which includes films based on toy lines American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe (He-Man), View Master and Wishbone. However unfortunately for Mattel, the company has lagged behind rivals Lego and Hasbro in Hollywood film production. Lego has released four movies through Warner Bros. since 2014; and Hasbro has worked with Michael Bay and Paramount on six Transformers movies, which have grossed nearly $5 billion worldwide. Hasbro has also seen movie success from its G.I. Joe and Ouija brands.

Mattel’s most recent attempt to break into the Hollywood scene came their 2016’s live-action feature Max Steel, which performed poorly at the box office with less than $4 million in revenue.

Wigutow is represented by Verve, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Hill is represented by Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and Mahdi Salehi and Katherine McClure at HJTH.

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Scott Mariner

Scott Mariner is a New York-based film critic and news writer. Although an IT specialist by trade, he’s a pop culture obsessive with an encyclopedic knowledge of film and television tropes and a passion for cultural journalism and critique. When he’s not writing or watching movies, you can usually find him cooking or riding his bike around town.
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