Film based on popular plush toys is in early development after Sony Pictures acquired screen rights
Paul King, director of the global hit Paddington films and the Timothée Chalamet-led musical Wonka, is set to direct the Labubu film.
In November it was announced that Sony Pictures, fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, had acquired the screen rights to the Chinese plush toy sensation with a feature film already in early development.
King began his screen career as associate director on the British TV comedy Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, then directed all three seasons of The Mighty Boosh. His 2014 film Paddington and its even more acclaimed sequel Paddington 2, both of which he also co-wrote, earned almost US$500m globally.
Wonka, the origin story of Willy Wonka that King wrote and directed, was a major box office success, earning $635m at the global box office. King also co-wrote the screenplay and executive produced the third Paddington film, Paddington in Peru, and is attached to direct a Disney movie about the Cinderella character Prince Charming, with Chris Hemsworth in talks to star.
