“Trap” scene-stealer is new voice of Barney in purple dinosaur's rise from TV extinction after 14 years

The super-dee-duper dino returns in "Barney’s World."

Remember Barney? The purple dinosaur whose "I Love You" song was "Baby Shark"-level annoying before "Baby Shark" was a thing? Well, he returns to TV soon, voiced by the scene-stealing Trap actor who launched one of this summer's funniest movie memes.

Mattel's super-dee-duper dinosaur is coming back after 14 years in new animated series Barney’s World. The relaunched Barney will be voiced by Jonathan Langdon, who played hilariously loose-lipped merch seller Jamie in M. Night Shyamalan's 2024 thriller. The actor became the face of a viral meme when the film's trailer dropped, showing him explain the wildly far-fetched plot of the feds using a pop star's concert to entrap a serial killer called the Butcher, all while unknowingly revealing the ruse to the "frickin' nutjob" himself.

Related: How M. Night Shyamalan staged an actual concert starring his daughter for Trap

The new preschool series will see Barney go on music-filled adventures (presumably not involving any concert traps) and explore emotions with his dino pals Billy (Jonathan Tan) and Baby Bop (Bryn McAuley) and their kid companions David (Jayd Deroché), Mel (Diana Tsoy), and Vivie (Ella Paciocco). The show will feature original music and updated classics, but it's not yet clear if that includes the infectious "I Love You" outro song haunting a new generation of parents.

Barney’s World will consist of 52 animated 11-minute episodes and premieres Monday, Oct. 14 on Max, followed by a linear premiere on Cartoon Network on Friday, Oct. 18. Select episodes will be available on YouTube, where the first episode will drop early on Friday, Oct. 11.

"Barney nurtures the power of love in all of us, and we are thrilled to bring him back to fans all around the world. We hope this modern revival leaves an impression on young audiences, imparting lessons that will positively influence them as they grow up," Josh Silverman, Mattel's chief franchise officer, said in a press release.

"We are thrilled to partner with Mattel to bring a fresh, imaginative new take on Barney that resonates with today’s preschoolers and their families around the world," Vanessa Brookman, Warner Bros. Discovery's general manager of kids, global streaming and international networks, said in the release. "This new animated series aims to blend nostalgia with modern storytelling, ensuring that the world’s beloved purple dinosaur continues to inspire, educate, and delight young audiences."

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In addition to his breakout performance in Trap, Langdon plays Coach in Disney Channel's Zombies franchise, including voicing the character in Zombies: The Re-Animated Series, and starred on Utopia Falls. Get a sneak peek at Langdon's take on Barney below.

Related: How Josh Hartnett and M. Night Shyamalan get you to empathize with Trap's killer — until that ending

Created by Sheryl Leach, the original Barney & Friends premiered on PBS in 1992 and ran for 14 seasons, with its final episode airing in 2010. Barney was voiced by Bob West from 1992–2000 and Dean Wendt for the remainder of its run. Notable stars who appeared on the live-action show as children include Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Debby Ryan, Peyton Alex Smith, Jaren Lewison, and Madison Pettis.

Barney dipped his T. rex toes back into the public spotlight earlier this year when he sent a "Love Day" message on Valentine's Day, offering his fans "a reminder of the superdy-duper ability we all have to love one another, and how important it is to show love toward yourself too."

The upcoming animated show is just one component of Mattel's multi-part plan to relaunch the Barney franchise, which also includes a film, YouTube content, music, toys, books, clothing, and more. In 2019, Mattel announced plans for a live-action Barney movie produced by Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya, but it remains to be seen if that is the film included in the toy company's latest de-extinction plans.

Barney’s World premieres Oct. 14 on Max and Oct. 18 on Cartoon Network. Watch the trailer above.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.