Gerard Johnstone is enrolling in Monster High. The filmmaker, who broke out with M3GAN, is on board to direct the feature based on the Mattel brand.
Universal is partnering with the toy company for the film, and in a piece of corporate synergy, Mattel and Universal are also teaming for a Monster High Skullector M3GAN Doll, in honor of Johnstone’s upcoming M3GAN 2.0, which arrives June 27.
With M3GAN, Johnstone showed he could tap into the horrors of growing up, which will come in handy when taclking Monster High. The toy line debuted in 2010 and centered on the teenage children of monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman. It followed them as they grow up and deal with the trials and tribulations of high school.
Jim Wimberg
The news comes after Mattel promoted its former film boss Robbie Brenner to oversee both film and TV for the brand as president and chief content officer of Mattel Studios.
“Gerard’s unique vision and genre-blending style make him the perfect fit for this film. This is exactly what we’re building at Mattel Studios as we continue to work with top talent to tell fresh, unexpected stories from our rich portfolio of brands,” said Brenner, who in 2023 found a major hit with Barbie.
Johnstone added: “With Barbie, Mattel Studios demonstrated that they’re not afraid to take bold swings with their IP. What makes Monster High so exciting for me is the opportunity to play in the sandbox of so many iconic monster myths.”
The feature has both Brenner and Akiva Goldsman on board to produce, with the veteran screenwriter also attached to the Mattel movie based on Major Tom, starring Tom Hanks. Said Goldsman: “Monster High is delightfully personal to me — my daughters grew up loving the dolls and what they represent. Gerard’s work is sharp, daring, and full of heart. He’s exactly the director this film needs.”
Arturo Thur de Koós is overseeing for Mattel and Greg Lessans for Goldsman’s Weed Road. Universal Pictures’ senior vice president of production Lexi Barta and director of production development Jacqueline Garell are overseeing for the studio.
Mattel hopes to exploit more of its IP ala Barbie, and has a number of projects in the works, including the upcoming Masters of the Universe movie at Amazon MGM Studios, and Daniel Kaluuya’s Barney, Vin Diesel’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and J.J. Abrams’ Hot Wheels.
Johnstone is represented by CAA, Key Creatives, ID and Davis Law Group.