A new take on a classic animated franchise is heading to the big screen. Ryan Gosling and his production company Open Invite, led by partner Jessie Henderson, are currently in early development on a live-action The Flintstones feature project at Warner Bros. The upcoming film is expected to center on a grown-up version of the character Bamm-Bamm Rubble.
While the project is in the very early stages, reports indicate that the production team is currently searching for a writer to pen the script. This marks a new direction for the property, which has previously seen live-action adaptations in 1994 and 2000. Those two films, which combined for over $400 million at the global box office, featured ensemble casts including John Goodman, Rick Moranis, and Rosie O’Donnell.
A New Perspective on Bedrock
The choice to focus on Bamm-Bamm offers a fresh angle for the long-running franchise. The character previously transitioned into his teenage years during the 1971 animated series The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show. In that iteration, the character attended Bedrock High School, held a job, and formed a band called the Bedrock Rockers. By focusing on a grown-up Bamm-Bamm, the new film could explore a side of the prehistoric world that has not been the primary focus of previous live-action entries.
Gosling’s Expanding Production Slate
This development project adds to an already busy schedule for Gosling and his Open Invite banner. The team is also behind the upcoming romantic drama Love of Your Life, directed by Rachel Morrison. That film, which stars Margaret Qualley and Aaron Pierre, is set to make its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month. Gosling has maintained a high profile recently, following his starring role and production work on the blockbuster Project Hail Mary, which was directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord.
Beyond his work with Open Invite, Gosling continues to be a major force in Hollywood. He is currently attached to the upcoming Ghost Rider reboot for Marvel Studios and remains in discussions regarding a potential sequel to the massive 2023 hit Barbie. As Warner Bros looks to revitalize its library of classic intellectual property, bringing a star of Gosling’s caliber into the Bedrock universe signals a significant commitment to the future of the franchise. Fans of the original Hanna-Barbera series will likely be watching closely to see how this new live-action interpretation takes shape as the search for a writer continues.
For more information on the history of the franchise, you can visit the official Warner Bros website.
Source: Deadline
