Featured Image Credit: Alamy/PBS
Topics: Film and TV
Jake Massey
Daniel Kaluuya has provided an update on his intriguing Barney live-action movie.
The Get Out actor's reimagining of the purple dinosaur was one of the first projects announced by his newly-formed production company, 59%, and he confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the project is still in early development, with the script being reworked.
"My last number of films have been so aligned to kind of what I stand for as a man," the 33-year-old said.
"But there are a whole lot of things that I do as a man. I love kids' films. How did everyone get into films? Watching kids' films.
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"I don't want to restrict myself to the limitations of what I'm perceived as."
From 1992 to 2009, Barney & Friends taught young children valuable lessons on friendship and life through the helpful medium of song and dance; but it seems the remake won't be as simplistic and rose-tinted.
While Kaluuya has remained tip-lipped about the upcoming project, the Oscar-winning actor teased two years ago that the film would take a deep dive into one of the character's most famous songs.
He told Entertainment Weekly: "Barney taught us, 'I love you, you love me. Won't you say you love me too?'
"That's one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn't true? I thought that was really heartbreaking.
"I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense. It feels like there's something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic. Especially at this time now, I think that's really, really needed."
In a separate statement when the project was initially announced in 2019, he said: "Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood.
"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."
Well, he certainly has our attention anyway.
The idea of a dark new take on the big friendly dinosaur might sounds a bit bizarre, but perhaps it ain't as peculiar as it seems, for did you know that the bloke who played Barney went on to set up a tantric sex business? I'm gonna hazard a guess and assume you didn't know.
After playing the famous dinosaur from 1991 to 2001, David Joyner did what any retired dinosaur would do and set up his own sexy business, with clients forking out hundreds of dollars for three to four-hour sessions, in which he 'unblocks energy'.
For their money, his clients are promised a ritual bath, chakra balancing and a massage - which can apparently lead to 'mind-blowing' orgasms.
Wow Barney, you dirty dinosaur.
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