Mattel announces that Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director Phil Johnston (Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia) will write the live-action View-Master feature film for Mattel Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Escape Artists.
“Having Phil Johnston join this project is a huge win,” says Todd Black, Producer for Escape Artists. “He’s one of the most inventive creative voices working today, and with Mattel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, we’re combining incredible creative forces to turn View-Master into an unforgettable big-screen adventure.”
Johnston is best known for co-directing and co-writing Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet, as well as co-writing Zootopia, all of which were major box-office successes. Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet each earned Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature in 2013 and 2019, respectively.
“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,” says Johnston. “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.”
Inspired by Mattel’s enduring 3D image toy, the film will be a four-quadrant family adventure. The View-Master has captured imaginations since its 1939 debut, using 3D image reels to transport fans to faraway worlds.
“View-Master has always been pure magic to me — a simple toy that opened entire worlds beyond imagination,” says Tom McNulty, Senior Executive, Film for Mattel. 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.”
The film will be overseen by McNulty and Arturo Thur de Koós for Mattel Studios, with Robbie Brenner producing on behalf of Mattel and Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and Tony Shaw producing for Escape Artists.
Mattel and Escape Artists are also collaborating on the upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action feature film, directed by Travis Knight and slated for global theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
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