Tag: Production

The global toy trend that took social media by storm is set to make its Hollywood debut. Pop Mart, the Chinese company behind the viral Labubu series, is partnering with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop a feature film based on the franchise. The movie is currently in early development, focusing on planning and writing, with no release date announced yet.

The project will be a hybrid of live action and CGI, translating the mischievous Labubu characters from toy shelves to the big screen. Paul King, director of family hits like Paddington and Wonka, is set to helm the project and co-write the screenplay with award-winning playwright Steven Levenson. Pop Mart’s founder, Kasing Lung, will serve as executive producer, ensuring that the film stays true to the original vision of the Labubu universe.

Labubu originated in 2015 as a line of collectible plush and vinyl toys created by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-based illustrator. The toys feature playful “ugly-cute” monsters with wide eyes, pointy ears, and toothy grins. Sold mostly in blind boxes, where buyers don’t know which figure they’ll get until they open it, the surprise element has made collecting addictive and fueled a global craze.

Though Labubu has been around for years, its popularity skyrocketed in 2024 and 2025, particularly in Asia and mostly through social media. The character became a viral phenomenon across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Celebrity exposure also played a role; Notably, BLACKPINK’s Lisa was photographed with a Labubu keychain, sparking waves of posts and videos showcasing the toy worldwide.

Forward to 2026, the frenzy around Labubu is no longer just online. Rare figures often sell for premium prices in the resale market, and the toy has inspired exhibitions, parades, and themed events in multiple countries. Its mix of humor, design charm, and collectible appeal has made it a recognizable cultural icon for Gen Z and collectors alike.

A reboot of the iconic sci-fi series The X-Files is officially moving forward at Hulu, with filmmaker Ryan Coogler attached to write and direct the pilot episode, marking his first television directing credit, while also serving as an executive producer.

The project has now taken a major step forward with the casting of Danielle Deadwyler as one of its two central leads.

The series is being produced by 20th Television, which controls the franchise rights, alongside Coogler’s production company Proximity Media. Original creator Chris Carter remains attached as an executive producer, maintaining a creative bridge to the original franchise.

The X-Files debuted in 1993 and became one of television’s most influential sci-fi dramas, blending paranormal investigations with government conspiracy. The series followed FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they explored unexplained phenomena across the United States.

The upcoming reboot is expected to reimagine the core premise for a new generation, centering on two contrasting FBI agents investigating mysterious and unexplainable cases. While specific character details remain under wraps, reports indicate Deadwyler will portray one half of the investigative duo. Casting for the second lead has yet to be announced.

Danielle Deadwyler has steadily built a reputation as one of the most compelling dramatic performers of her generation. She received widespread acclaim for her performance in Till and has appeared in projects including The Piano Lesson, Carry-On, and I Saw the TV Glow.

Ryan Coogler, best known for directing Black Panther and Creed, has steadily expanded his presence in television production in recent years. His involvement signals a prestige approach to the reboot, positioning it as a serious creative reworking rather than a simple continuation.

He will serve as executive producer alongside his Proximity Media partners, while Carter is attached in a non-writing executive producer capacity, maintaining a connective thread to the original franchise.

The series will be showrun by Jennifer Yale, whose credits include work on See, Legion, Dexter: New Blood, and The Copenhagen Test. Yale’s experience in serialized genre storytelling provides experienced television oversight to balance Coogler’s feature-film background.

Meanwhile, Carter’s continued executive producer role ensures continuity with the franchise’s mythology, though he is not expected to be involved in day-to-day writing.

When The X-Files first premiered in 1993, it became one of television’s most influential sci-fi dramas. The series ran for nine seasons before concluding in 2002, later returning for revival seasons between 2016 and 2018. It reshaped genre television, blending paranormal investigations with government conspiracy arcs and philosophical debates about belief, truth, and institutional secrecy.

Original stars like Gillian Anderson, who portrayed Dana Scully, have previously expressed conditional openness to revisiting the universe under the right creative circumstances. However, no legacy casting has been confirmed for the reboot.