The new version of Barney “will surprise audiences and subvert expectations”…

Barney, the purple dinosaur who spent the best part of two decades on TV entertaining children everywhere with his positive messages of love, diversity, patience and inclusion, is about to get the big budget cinema release treatment, courtesy of Mattel and Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya, whose production company – 59% – is behind the resurrection.

“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” said Kaluuya in a statement. “We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”

Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner added “Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations. The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”

Mattel currently has various other movies based on children’s toys and IP in development, including a Barbie offering with Margot Robbie and a Magic 8 Ball horror project in the works at successful indie horror outfit, Blumhouse.

Former Barney actor David Joyner, who now works as a tantric sex guru in Los Angeles, will likely not return to the beloved dino role, for reasons which probably became clear when you read the phrase “tantric sex guru”.