Paul King Set To Direct New Labubu Film at Sony
The Paddingtong and Wonka director plans on bringing the viral character to the big screen.
Sony Pictures has tapped Paul King, the Paddington and Wonka filmmaker, to direct a live-action feature based on Labubu, the wildly popular collectible character owned by Chinese retailer Pop Mart. The project is in early development, with King also producing alongside Department M and producer Wenxin She. A writer has yet to be attached.
Created by Hong Kong–born, Europe-based artist Kasing Lung, Labubu originated a decade ago in a picture book series inspired by folklore before evolving into designer toys. The character gained global momentum after Pop Mart took over manufacturing and distribution in 2019, particularly through its signature “blind box” sales model. Some limited-edition Labubu pieces have sold for six figures and celebrities have even embraced the dolls as fashion accessories.
King brings a proven track record of crafting successful films. His first two Paddington films earned critical acclaim and nearly $500 million worldwide, while Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, grossed $635 million globally. Sony is developing the adaptation in partnership with Pop Mart, aiming to bring Labubu’s cute-but-creepy charm to the big screen.
