Sonic Producers to Create Live-Action Toys 'R' Us Film

A live-action Toys "R" Us movie is in development, and it's being crafted by the team at Story Kitchen, renowned for their work on recent video game movie adaptations such as the Sonic the Hedgehog films. The project aims to encapsulate the essence of childhood wonder, delivering a modern, fast-paced adventure that honors the Toys 'R' Us brand's legacy spanning over 70 years in the toy industry.

Story Kitchen co-founders Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg expressed their enthusiasm, emphasizing the brand's significant impact on their childhoods. "Toys 'R' Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today," they stated. "As '80s kids who considered Toys 'R' Us one of the most magical places on Earth, we’re honored to partner to create a film that will capture the spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia that Toys 'R' Us represents."

Somehow Toys 'R' Us returned. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Drawing inspiration from films like Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, as well as successful toy-to-movie franchises like Barbie, the Toys "R" Us movie promises a blend of nostalgia and innovation. While casting details remain under wraps, the film will be produced by Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval for Story Kitchen, alongside Kim Miller Olko, who is producing for Toys "R" Us Studios.

Miller Olko, president of Toys "R" Us Studios, highlighted the significance of this venture as the company's first foray into film. "As Toys "R" Us first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen," she said. "It will be a journey as boundless as play itself, evoking the electric sense of wonder that is the essence of Toys "R" Us. This story will capture the imagination, adventure and joy that has made Toys "R" Us a destination for kids of all ages."

Story Kitchen's portfolio continues to expand, with recent announcements including a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Blue Beetle's Ángel Manuel Soto, alongside adaptations of Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.