M3GAN Director Boards Monster High Movie, Could Be Studio’s Next Barbie

The Monster High movie being made for Mattel and Universal has found its director.

It was announced in June 2024 that Mattel Films had partnered with Universal Pictures to create a live-action Monster High movie. The project is based on Mattel’s popular toy line that debuted in 2010 and is focused on the teenage children of classic monsters such as Dracula and Frankenstein.

Who is directing the Monster High movie?

Gerard Johnstone has officially signed on to direct the Monster High movie, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnstone made his feature film directorial debut in 2014 with Housebound. He then quickly became a hot Hollywood commodity after directing 2022’s M3GAN for Blumhouse. Johnstone also directs the forthcoming sequel, M3GAN 2.0, which will be released in United States theaters on June 27, 2025.

The director said in a statement, “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.”

Mattel’s Robbie Brenner, who produced Barbie, added, “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.”

Akiva Goldsman is writing the script for the movie and serves as a producer alongside Brenner. Goldsman said, “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.”

Plot details for the Monster High movie remain under wraps at this time. No casting has yet been announced, and a release date has not been set.

Originally reported by Brandon Schreur at SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net