According to Variety, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s production company Seven Bucks is teaming with Amazon MGM Studios to develop a live-action film based on 1980s icon Teddy Ruxpin. The project will draw inspiration from the popular animatronic toy that became a cultural phenomenon during the decade.
Chris Hazzard and Mike Fontana have been tapped to write the script, with the film reportedly aiming for a tone described as Sonic the Hedgehog meets Elf. Producing the project are Johnson and Dany Garcia for Seven Bucks, alongside Hiram Garcia, as well as Dmitri M. Johnson and Michael Lawrence Goldberg of Story Kitchen.
Teddy Ruxpin, created in 1985 by Alchemy II, became the world’s first animated talking toy. The character sold over eight million units worldwide and generated an $8 billion franchise, which also included the 1986 animated TV series The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin, which ran for one season.
