Paul King to guide ‘Labubu’ from display shelves to cinema screens
With Paul King directing, fans can expect the film to perfectly convey Labubu's characteristic "cheeky-but-charming" personality.
Sony Pictures has hired Paul King, creator of the “Paddington” films and “Wonka”, to take Labubu (the monsters) from storefronts to movie screens, marking the first major step for the collectible toy into feature-length filmmaking.
The project, currently in early development, will be produced by King, along with Department M and Wenxin She. Choosing Paul King is a strategic move by Sony; the director has proven his mettle when it comes to turning quirky, beloved intellectual properties into heartfelt works of cinema.
His most recent film, Wonka, grossed a staggering $635 million worldwide, while the Paddington series grossed nearly $500 million and was universally acclaimed by critics for its warmth and visual ingenuity.
Labubu’s rise was noteworthy. Originally appearing in illustrated stories inspired by European folklore, the character gained widespread attention through Pop Mart’s no-pre-registration distribution model, where buyers only discovered which figure they had purchased when they opened the package. This sense of randomness helped fuel a collector’s culture, with hundreds of Labubu variations circulating around the world, with rare editions fetching high resale prices.
Social media and celebrity exposure further enhanced the brand’s awareness, propelling the character from niche toy circles into fashion and pop culture conversations across Asia, Europe, and North America.
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