Paul King is going from cuddly jam-eating bears to cute-ugly monsters.
A month after nabbing the film rights to Labubu, Sony has tapped Paddington and Wonka filmmaker King to bring to life a big-screen take on one of the world’s biggest collectible sensations.
King is set to direct the feature project and will produce with Department M (The Christophers, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle remake) and Wenxin She (Wish Dragon, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood). The project is in early development and is still in need of a writer. Sony is working with Chinese retailer and brand owner Pop Mart on the adaptation.
Sony had no comment.
Designed by Hong Kong-born, European-based artist Kasing Lung and initially made by How2 Work as part of a line of monster figurines, Labubu took off when Chinese retailer Pop Mart took over making and selling them in 2019.
It took a few years, but Labubus exploded in popularity recently for two main reasons. One, Pop Mart’s use of selling them via “blind boxes,” meaning buyers never know what they are acquiring until they open the package, which then also spurs demand. This also creates a superheated secondary market, where collectors pay exorbitant amounts to get the dolls they want online, at pop up sales and in traditional brick and mortar locations. Limited editions artwork and auctions have seen items hit six figure prices.
The second factor was the adoption of the toys by certain celebrities, particularly K-pop group Blackpink member Lisa, who in 2024, used them as accessories.
Labubu is the name of the lead monster doll of the line, which counts leader Zimomo, companion Mokoko, and boyfriend Tycoco as characters.
King earned a following, not to mention a few BAFTA Award nominations, for directing and co-writing the first two Paddington movies, which earned devotion and acclaim for their whimsy and heart. He also co-wrote the screenplay and is executive produced the third film in the series, Paddington in Peru.
He last directed Wonka for Warners Bros. The Willy Wonka origin story starred Timothée Chalamet and earned $635 million globally.
King is repped by WME, UK’s Independent Talent Group and Davis Law Group.
