Courtesy Mattel
Mattel would like you to see another toy story.
The company announced Tuesday that it will release a feature film about the 3D image toy that was introduced in 1939. Phil Johnston — the writer, director, and producer who has worked on animated Disney movies includingWreck-It Ralph,Ralph Breaks the Internet, andZootopia— will pen the script.
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"View-Master was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid (still is), because it gave me a chance to explore faraway worlds without ever leaving my room," Johnston said in a statement. "I would escape into those slides for hours at a time, and no one would yell at me for staring. I want to bring the wonder I felt as a bowl-haired kid in the '80s to the big screen now, and working with Mattel, Sony, and Escape Artists is giving me the chance to do just that."
Johnston's credits also include writing and co-directing Netflix's 2025 movieThe Twits, based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, and writing the 2011 Ed Helms comedyCedar Rapids.
Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett
Toy company Mattel has some experience translating its toys, such as He-Man and Barbie, to the big screen. The latter, in particular, became a sensation when it was released in 2023.
With a star-studded cast that included Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, and American Ferrera, the film drew such a large audience that it was one-half of theBarbenheimer phenomenonthat lured audiences off their couches and back into theaters in 2023.
Mattel is optimistic.
"View-Master has always been pure magic to me — a simple toy that opened entire worlds beyond imagination," Tom McNulty, a senior executive for Mattel Film, said. "It's an incredible honor to have the brilliant Phil Johnston, one of the most soulful and inventive storytellers in film, at the helm of the View-Master reimagining. Building on our wonderful collaboration with Todd and Jason at Escape Artists onMasters of the Universeand now joining forces with Sony Pictures Entertainment, we're thrilled for the opportunity to bring a timeless classic into a bold new era—and to inspire new audiences to see the world with wonder."
The tale of He-Man will be highlighted inMasters of the Universe, which is set for release June 5, 2026. Nicholas Galitzine stars as He-Man in the film, with Camila Mendes as Teela and Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms.
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