Paul King, Steven Levenson to Write for Sony

Sony Pictures is sinking its teeth into the development of a Labubu movie.

The studio and Pop Mart, the China-based retailer behind the plush toy line, announced that filmmaker Paul King (Wonka) is officially in early development on the feature project. At a Paris event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Monsters universe that includes Labubu, King and creator Kasing Lung revealed that the director will pen the screenplay with Tony Award-winning writer Steven Levenson.

Plot details have not yet been shared for the film that will embrace the whimsical world of Labubu through a hybrid of live-action and CGI. King, Michael Schaefer (The Martian) and Wenxin She (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) serve as producers, while Lung executive produces. Brittany Morrissey oversees the film for the studio.

The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported in November that a Labubu movie was in the works. A month later, THR also had the scoop that King was attached to helm.

Labubu dolls are known for their cuddly but fierce appearance that features sharp teeth, furry bodies and pointy ears. In addition to Labubu, who is the primary character in the toy line, other characters include Zimomo, Mokoko and Tycoco.

King served as writer and director on Wonka and Paddington, in addition to the latter’s 2017 sequel.

Levenson earned a Tony for writing the book for the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. He also penned the screenplay for the feature Tick, Tick … Boom!, and has worked on such series as Masters of Sex and Fosse/Verdon.

Lung, an artist who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in the Netherlands, created Labubu and The Monsters through a series of picture books in 2015, with How2Work releasing the monster figurines. The characters exploded in popularity after Pop Mart acquired the toys in 2019, leading an array of celebrity fans to embrace them.