Jennifer Lopez is set to produce a reimagined Bob the Builder movie which sees the children’s TV character as a Latino construction worker named Roberto.
Bob the Builder aired on BBC kids’ channels CBBCand CBeebies between 1999 and 2011, and featured the the voice of Neil Morrissey as the upbeat construction worker taking on a variety of jobs alongside his friends and talking machinery. In an updated version of the character, the movie will focus on Bob who travels to Puerto Rico for a major construction job as he “takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build.”
The builder will be voiced by In The Heights star Anthony Ramos – who is also set to produce alongside JLo – and the rebooted version of the TV show character will see him “celebrate the vibrant and colourful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people.” Felipe Vargas is attached to write the screenplay, however a director has not yet been announced.
Anthony, who shot to fame in Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical epic Hamilton, said parts of the film were inspired by his own life. “For years, Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world. A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!” he shared.
Bob the Builder was a huge success worldwide, and in 2011, it was sold to Mattel along with Thomas & Friends for £535 million ($680 million). Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films, said the reimagined version of Bob is a “genius” way to tell his story for new audiences. “Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognise, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” he said in a statement.
The huge success of Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has led to a series of Mattel movies being announced. While the movie has attracted controversy in recent days after Barbie’s director and star were snubbed by the Oscars, other toy-based films in the pipeline are set to follow in the footsteps of Greta’s satirical hit.
Girls creator and star Lena Dunham will direct Lily Collins in Polly Pocket, while Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya stars in a grown-up and edgy take on Barney the Dinosaur which will focus on “some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney”. While Star Wars : The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams promises his upcoming Hot Wheels movie, based on the hugely popular car, will be “emotional, grounded and gritty”.
