Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Bakugan’ Live-Action Pic In The Works With Spin Master & Brad Peyton Directing, Writing & Producing
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 global anime franchise.
More from Deadline
'PAW Patrol' & Spinoff 'Rubble & Crew' Renewed By Nickelodeon
'Rampage' Director Brad Peyton Teams With Toni Calderon For Pro-Am Racing Docuseries
Launched in 2007, Bakugan was anchored by a 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 that 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,” Spin Master Entertainment president Jennifer Dodge said. “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.”
Said Peyton: “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. 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 Netflix’s 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 TV, Peyton co-created the post-apocalyptic comedy series Daybreak and directed Frontier, starring Jason Momoa, both 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 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 Mckenna Grace reprising her lead role as Skye. The first two PAW Patrol movies combined to earn more than $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.
Best of Deadline
The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host
2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
