Daniel Kaluuya Gives Update About His ‘Dark’ Live-Action Movie About Barney The Dinosaur

Daniel Kaluuya has confirmed that the ‘dark’ Barney live-action movie is still in the works, but don’t expect it to hit cinemas anytime soon.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Black Panther actor revealed that he’s currently reworking the script and it will be an ominous take on the iconic purple dinosaur of the ’90s.

The movie will also be produced by Kalyuua’s newly formed production company, 59%, along with Valparaiso Pictures and Mattel.

Kaluuya told the entertainment outlet: “My last number of films have been so aligned to kind of what I stand for as a man.

Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

“But there are a whole lot of things that I do as a man. I love kids’ films.

“How did everyone get into films? Watching kids’ films. I don’t want to restrict myself to the limitations of what I’m perceived as.”

While Kayuula has remained tip-lipped about the upcoming project, the Oscar-winning actor teased two years ago that the film was inspired by one of Barney’s most famous quotes.

He told Entertainment Weekly: “Barney taught us, ‘I love you, you love me. Won’t you say you love me too?’ That’s one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn’t true? I thought that was really heartbreaking. 

“I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense. It feels like there’s something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic. Especially at this time now, I think that’s really, really needed.”

Credit: Jeff Moore/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy Stock Photo

In a separate statement when the project was initially announced in 2019, the 33-year-old said: “Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood.

“We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”

Kaluuya is one of the hottest actors right now, making some of the most interesting films of the decade, including Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah, and most recently Jordan Peele’s Nope, which centres around an isolated town that witnesses a bizarre and mysterious event.

No doubt, Kaluuya will have a few things up his sleeve for this live-action adaptation that will have us on the edge of our seats gasping, and we can’t wait.