介绍： Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm
From: BBC
The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.
A Labubu movie that will combine live action and computer-generated animation is in "early development...

介绍： Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm
From: BBC
The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.
A Labubu movie that will combine live action and computer-generated animation is in "early development", the two companies said in a statement.
The film will be directed by Paul King, whose credits include Wonka, Paddington and BBC comedy series The Mighty Boosh. No release date has been set.
Labubus have become a global sensation in recent years and sales have turned Pop Mart into a toy-making behemoth worth nearly $40bn (£29.9bn), surpassing established rivals like Barbie-maker Mattel.
The Labubu craze has helped Pop Mart expand beyond toys to operating a theme park in Beijing. Now, the company is venturing into film.
Labubus are Pop Mart's most popular toys. Part of their appeal is that they are sold in blind boxes - buyers don't know which Labubu they are getting until they open the package.
Celebrities like Rihanna and Lisa from Blackpink have also been photgraphed wearing Labubu charms with their designer bags.
Created over a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is a forest elf inspired by Nordic mythology and part of Lung's book series, The Monsters, which features a large number of fantasy characters.
The Labubu movie was announced in Paris on Wednesday during a global exhibition tour for the Labubu toys' 10th year anniversary.
Lung will serve as the film's executive producer. Aside from directing, King will also co-produce and develop the script with Steven Levenson, the writer behind the stage show Dear Evan Hansen and the musical film Tick, Tick... Boom!
A 'good moment' for Pop Mart
Pop Mart's plan to launch a Labubu media franchise is a logical next step after the toys' popularity, experts said.
A Labubu movie could help Pop Mart evolve from a toy retailer to an entertainment brand, said Kim Dayoung a marketing lecturer at the National University of Singapore.
"For Gen Z and Millennial consumers, content and commerce are closely intertwined - watching a story, connecting with a character, and then buying into that world is a seamless journey... The potential is very high," Kim told the BBC.
It could also re-assure Pop Mart investors about the value of the company.
"Labubu has a loyal and fanatic customer base, so a film could potentially be a significant growth opportunity for them, if the content is appealing," said Kapil Tuli from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the Singapore Management University.
A Labubu movie could also capitalise on the momentum of Chinese animation, following the blockbuster success of Ne Zha 2 and the video game Black Myth: Wukong, Tuli said.
"It's a good moment to make that jump."
behemoth /bɪˈhiːmɒθ/ n. 巨头，强大的企业
The small coffee shop struggled to compete with the corporate behemoth.
这家小咖啡店很难与那个企业巨头竞争。
surpass /səˈpɑːs/ v. 超过，优于
His final exam results surpassed all expectations.
他的期末考试成绩超出了所有人的预期。
venture /ˈventʃə/ v. 敢于去，冒险 n. 企业，风险项目
She decided to venture into the unknown world of online business.
她决定大胆涉足未知的电商世界。
appeal /əˈpiːl/ n. 吸引力，魅力 v. 有吸引力
The idea of working from home holds a strong appeal for many young people.
在家办公的想法对许多年轻人很有吸引力。
franchise /ˈfræntʃaɪz/ n. 特许经营权，系列品牌
The film franchise plans to release a new sequel every two years.
这个系列电影计划每两年推出一部新续集。
momentum /məˈmentəm/ n. 势头，动力
The local campaign to save the trees is gaining momentum.
当地拯救树木的抗议活动势头正盛。
blockbuster /ˈblɒkbʌstə/ n. 一鸣惊人的事物，大片
The shopping mall was packed as if a blockbuster movie had just premiered.
购物中心里人山人海，仿佛刚有一部大片首映。
executive /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/ adj. 执行的，行政的 n. 主管，经理
As an executive producer, she focuses on the overall financing of the project.
作为执行制片人，她主要负责项目的整体融资事宜。