Sony Pictures has enlisted Paul King, the director behind the Paddington films and Wonka, to helm a live-action adaptation of the popular Labubu toy line. The project, in early development, draws from the characters' origins in a picture book series created a decade ago. King will direct and produce alongside Department M and Wenxin She.
The announcement of the Labubu movie comes as Hollywood continues to mine toy and game intellectual properties for big-screen potential. Labubu, known for its round, wide-eyed, pointy-eared plush collectibles, originated 10 years ago in a picture book series by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Lung, who moved to the Netherlands as a child, drew inspiration from folklore for his 'The Monsters' series, which birthed the Labubu characters. The toys, produced exclusively by China-based retailer Pop Mart, are sold in 'blind box' packaging, adding an element of surprise for buyers unaware of the specific figure inside.
Paul King brings a proven track record to the project. His most recent film, 'Wonka,' starring Timothée Chalamet, grossed $635 million globally and marked a major box office success. The Paddington films, which he directed, were both critical and commercial hits, collectively earning nearly $500 million worldwide. King co-wrote the screenplay for and executive produced the third installment in the Paddington series.
This adaptation fits into a broader trend in the industry. Recent successes include Warner Bros. and Mattel's 'Barbie,' a blockbuster, and 'A Minecraft Movie,' one of 2025's biggest hits. Other toy-based films like 'Super Mario Bros.' and 'Sonic the Hedgehog' have also performed strongly at the box office. Studios are developing projects from 'Masters of the Universe' to 'Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots,' the latter scripted by Vin Diesel.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported King's involvement, with the project still in early stages at Sony Pictures in partnership with Pop Mart.
