Mattel Films, Universal Pictures and Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road banner are coming together to co-produce a new live-action theatrical film for the toyco’s iconic fashion doll brand Monster High. 

Project details are still being hammered out, but Mattel notes that the production will feature a completely original story in a very different direction from the IP’s previous CG-animated and live-action titles for television. 

Mattel Films president Robbie Brenner will produce the new feature with Goldsman, whose filmmaking credits include A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and the toyco’s upcoming sci-fi feature Major Matt Mason. Overseeing the project for Universal are SVP of production Lexi Barta and creative executive of production development Jacqueline Garell. 

Mattel first rolled out its Monster High toy line in 2010, reimagining mythical villains like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster and the werewolf as teenage girls attending high school. The brand was resurrected in 2021 after three years out of the market, and it has since spawned a CG-animated series and two live-action musicals with Nickelodeon, as well as a Monster High Live Tour with Family Entertainment Live. 

Following its US$1.36-billion box-office success with Barbie last year, Mattel is investing heavily in adapting its toy properties for the big screen. In addition to Monster High, feature films for Barney, American Girl, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket and Bob the Builder are currently in the works.