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EXCLUSIVE: Spin Master Corp. is developing a live-action Bakugan feature film, with San Andres and Atlas filmmaker Brad Peyton attached to direct, write, and produce.
Peyton and Lindsay Harbert are teaming with Spin Master Entertainment on the development of the screenplay based on the $1 billion-plus selling toy line and anime global phenomenon franchise.
Launched in 2007, Bakugan was anchored by a highly successful toy line and spanned anime adventure series, digital content, and a popular card game. Spin Master Entertainment has co-produced nearly 300 Bakugan episodes, which have aired around the world. The toys are available in 100 countries.
“Bakugan is a global franchise with a multi-generational and devoted fanbase, built on the strength of its compelling characters and explosive battles,” said Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master Entertainment’s President. “As fans who were part of its initial craze now enter adulthood, we are thrilled to be working with accomplished filmmaking talent like Brad to reimagine Bakugan in live action, expanding the franchise for fans while introducing it to new audiences around the world.”
“Bakugan is ready for the film treatment, and I’m thrilled to be the one to bring it to the big screen for the very first time,” said Peyton. “With Lindsay and the Spin Master team alongside me, we’re excited to build a hit franchise with global appeal. I am confident we will create a must-see film event that does justice to the unique and epic world that is Bakugan.”
A director, writer, and producer, Peyton’s credits include both directing and producing the 60M viewed Netflix movie Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez and Simu Liu, as well as Dwayne Johnson’s Rampage which grossed $428 million worldwide, as well as the action star’s San Andreas, which counts $475 million and stands as the headliner’s highest grossing original non-franchise movie. In television, Peyton co-created the post-apocalyptic comedy series Daybreak, for Netflix, and directed Frontier, starring Jason Momoa, also for Netflix. Peyton is also the founder of ASAP Entertainment, which produced Atlas, Rampage, Daybreak, and Frontier.
The Bakugan film adds to a Spin Master feature slate that also includes the third film in the PAW Patrol franchise, which is slated for release in association with Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in 2026. The third film based on the world’s most popular children’s television series welcomes EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson and comedian Fortune Feimster to a returning cast that includes Emmy nominee Mckenna Grace reprising her lead role as Skye. The first two PAW Patrol movies combined to earn over $345 million at the worldwide box office.
Peyton is represented by CAA, The Characters, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Harbert is represented by CAA, Brooke Lindley, Gotham Group, and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang.
