Mattel CEO says ‘Barbie’ film manufacturing starts subsequent month, displays on doll turning 63

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz instructed CNBC on Thursday the impending “Barbie” film will start manufacturing “this coming March” — the similar month the long-lasting doll turns 63.

“It has an unbelievable forged, with Margot Robbie taking part in Barbie, Ryan Gosling taking part in Ken. We simply introduced The us Ferrera to enroll in the forged,” Kreiz mentioned on “Squawk Field.” “Girl Chook” and “Little Girls” filmmaker Greta Gerwig is writing and directing “Barbie.” Mattel has stored the film’s plot beneath wraps.

Kreiz mentioned Barbie noticed report gross sales in fiscal 2021, rising 24% yr over yr. “Barbie, at 63, remains to be essentially the most numerous doll available in the market, it continues to adapt, be extra related than ever, each undying and well timed,” he mentioned. “We think every other expansion yr for Barbie in 2022.”

Barbie may even superstar in a Tremendous Bowl business that includes actress Anna Kendrick.

Mattel stocks jumped greater than 9% on Thursday, someday after posting stronger-than-expected income and income for the fourth quarter and a rosy outlook. The inventory has won just about 15% in 2022 and over 33% up to now 365 days. Kriez mentioned the corporate’s “turnaround is whole” and Mattel is now in “expansion mode.”

Mattel additionally lately received again the license to make toys in keeping with Disney’s princess lineup, together with the preferred Frozen franchise. Mattel misplaced the license to rival Hasbro in 2016, which sparked a duration of economic troubles at Mattel and energetic turnover within the C-suite. Hasbro even approached Mattel a few takeover in 2017, although a deal by no means materialized.

Kreiz, who joined Mattel as CEO in 2018, mentioned the corporate will pass into manufacturing with a “Masters of Universe” film in partnership with Netflix this summer time

Mattel lately has greater than 20 TV presentations in manufacturing.