Say it with me, friends: Not everything needs to be a movie! In fact, many things could stand not being a movie. High on that list is, in my humble opinion, the Labubu, those horrifying little monsters you see swinging on the bag of every other hip person on the street. Unfortunately, it seems like Sony Pictures does not share that sentiment.
Variety announced that Sony Pictures has picked up the screen rights to the Chinese doll brand with the aim of making a movie with the potential of a franchise, should it be received well. The deal was just signed this past week, so there is currently nobody attached to the project yet. It is also too early to know if the movie will be live-action, animated, or a mix of the two à la Where the Wild Things Are. Though, if they do that, get Arcade Fire again.
What is a Labubu, you ask? They’re little monsters that Chinese brand Pop Mart sells, and in particular, in blind boxes. Those, along with the representation by K-pop group Blackpink member Lisa in 2024, certainly were key to its meteoric rise to fame.
Now, it is nearly impossible to go into a gift store, especially in New York City, and not see some for sale. Likewise, major conventions such as San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con, had booths dedicated to selling all things Labubu.
It comes as no shock that someone is taking advantage of its popularity, but trend cycles move fast these days thanks to social media. When Beanie Babies were the talk of the town, people had dial-up. The landscape of things has very much changed. Theoretically, the Labubu craze could fizzle out before anybody is even attached to this project.
That is also not to say that the write cast and creative team couldn’t make it good. Nobody expected The Lego Movie to work out, but here we are with an entire franchise. Maybe Labubu could succeed. I just hope they aren’t lifesize.
(featured image: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
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