Development of a New Flintstones Project
Warner Bros is currently in the early stages of a new live-action feature based on the classic animated series The Flintstones. This project focuses on a grown-up version of Bamm-Bamm Rubble, the character best known for his club and signature catchphrase. The studio has brought in Ryan Gosling and his producing partner Jessie Henderson through their company Open Invite to shepherd the film. They are actively searching for a writer to draft the script.
This marks a return to the Bedrock universe for Warner Bros, which owns the rights to the original Hanna-Barbera intellectual property. The franchise has seen two previous live-action adaptations. The 1994 film starred John Goodman and Rick Moranis, while the 2000 follow-up, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, featured a different ensemble. Those two movies combined for $401 million at the global box office.
The Evolution of Bamm-Bamm
While the character is widely remembered as a toddler, the narrative expansion is not without precedent. In the early 1970s, the animated series The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show depicted the pair as teenagers. During that run, they attended Bedrock High School, worked jobs, and played in a band called the Bedrock Rockers. The new development leans into this older version of the character.
Hollywood has a long history of revisiting established animated properties to find new entry points for live-action reboots. This transition from childhood toy-like characters to young adults allows for a different tone than the traditional family-centric episodes. The industry watches such projects closely to see if they can capture modern audiences as effectively as the original Saturday morning iterations.
Gosling’s Production Slate
Ryan Gosling continues to expand his footprint behind the camera. He and Jessie Henderson are currently producers on the romantic drama Love of Your Life, directed by Rachel Morrison. That film features Margaret Qualley and Aaron Pierre and is set for a world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Gosling also recently starred in the blockbuster Project Hail Mary, which earned $684 million globally.
His connection to Warner Bros remains strong. Reports indicate he is in ongoing discussions regarding a potential sequel to the 2023 hit Barbie, which grossed $1.44 billion. The actor also has upcoming commitments on a Ghost Rider project for Marvel Studios. As the Flintstones script takes shape, the studio will likely look to capitalize on his track record of high-grossing, critically recognized work.