Warner Bros. has optioned the film rights to Funko, the toy company that specializes in the collectible Funko Pop! figurines and bobblehead dolls, and Warner Animation is planning to develop and produce an animated feature film based on the toys, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Funko has a long history of licensing pop culture characters, creating thousands of toy action figures across dozens of toy lines. They’re arguably most famous for their Pop! figures, which all share the distinctive blocky heads and round, dark eyes and have become a craze in recent years for collectors.
The company also has a rich relationship with Warner Bros., having licensed brands and franchises such as Harry Potter, Batman and many more.
Teddy Newton, an Oscar-nominee for the Pixar short “Day and Night,” and Mark Dindal, a Disney animation veteran, are both working on the story for the film. Allison Abbate, executive vice president of Warner Animation Group, will manage the partnership on behalf of the studio.
Warner Animation has had great success with the pop cultural brand mash-ups found in the “Lego Movie” films and their spinoffs. Up next the studio has “Scoob,” “Space Jam 2” and “Tom & Jerry” all on their release slate.
News of the Funko film was first reported by Deadline.