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Gerard Johnstone (M3GAN, M3GAN 2.0) has signed on to direct Monster High, a live-action theatrical film based on Mattel’s doll line.
Plot details have not been revealed, but the film will feature an original story based on the beloved fashion dolls imagined as the children of legendary monsters.
Mattel Studios is developing the project with Universal Pictures and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (I Am Legend, A Beautiful Mind) under his Weed Road banner.
“Gerard’s unique vision and genre-blending style make him the perfect fit for this film,” said Mattel Studios President Robbie Brenner. “This is exactly what we’re building at Mattel Studios as we continue to work with top talent to tell fresh, unexpected stories from our rich portfolio of brands. Monster High is a fan-favorite franchise with endless storytelling potential, and we are thrilled to reimagine it in a monstrously exciting way with Gerard at the helm.”
“With Barbie, Mattel Studios demonstrated that they’re not afraid to take bold swings with their IP,” added Johnstone. “What makes Monster High so exciting for me is the opportunity to play in the sandbox of so many iconic monster myths, and getting to do that alongside Akiva, Robbie, and Universal Pictures is a total dream. I can’t wait for audiences to step into the weird, wonderful world of misfit magic we’re about to create.”
“Monster High is delightfully personal to me — my daughters grew up loving the dolls and what they represent,” commented Goldman. “Gerard’s work is sharp, daring, and full of heart. He’s exactly the director this film needs.”
First introduced in 2010, Monster High quickly became a hit for Mattel and ushered in an expansive universe that includes a live-action TV movie, a CGI-animated series, a 2D-animated web series, video games, young adult novels, and more.
