AceShowbiz - Following the announcement in December that Paul King would direct an official Labubu movie, the project has now officially moved forward in development, confirmed by POP MART and Sony Pictures. The film centers on Labubu, the breakout star from The Monsters universe, and will be a live-action and CGI hybrid production. Alongside directing, Paul King will also produce and co-write the script with Steven Levenson.

This project was revealed in Paris during The Monsters’ global exhibition tour celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary. The film is still in early development.

Paul King has earned a reputation for transforming whimsical source material into successful films, demonstrated by his work on the Paddington films and Wonka. The latter grossed over $635 million worldwide, proving his ability to make unusual or niche characters resonate with global audiences.

Steven Levenson, known for his work on acclaimed projects such as Dear Evan Hansen, tick, tick... BOOM!, and Fosse/Verdon, is co-writing the screenplay with Paul King.

Created by Kasing Lung, Labubu first appeared in 2015 within a picture-book trilogy introducing The Monsters world. Since then, the character has evolved into a global collectible phenomenon, becoming one of POP MART’s most iconic figures. Lung is involved in the film as an executive producer, alongside Michael Schaefer and Wenxin She. Sony Pictures’ Brittany Morrissey is overseeing production.

At this stage, no casting decisions have been made. The initial hurdle remains convincing audiences that the mischievous monster is worthy of a feature film.

The mix of live-action and CGI is designed to bring Labubu vividly to life while integrating the character into a real-world environment. This approach mirrors Paul King’s previous successes, where he balanced fantasy elements with storytelling.

The announcement during The Monsters’ 10th anniversary global exhibition emphasizes the brand’s growth from its origins in Lung’s picture books to an international phenomenon. The film represents a significant expansion of the property’s reach, moving beyond collectibles into mainstream entertainment.

Paul King’s track record with Paddington and Wonka demonstrates his skill at infusing stories with heart and humor, qualities that will be essential for making Labubu connect with audiences.

For now, the news that POP MART and Sony Pictures are officially moving forward with the Labubu movie under Paul King’s direction is cause for excitement and curiosity. As the project advances, it will be intriguing to see how this unusual character is adapted for a live-action/CGI hybrid film.