Mattel’s ‘View-Master’ Movie Sets ‘Zootopia’s’ Phil Johnston as Screenwriter

By Rebecca Rubin

November 11, 2025

Phil Johnston, best known for writing Disney’s animated smashes “Zootopia” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” will pen the live-action “View-Master” movie.

Sony Pictures is backing the film, which is based on Mattel’s 3D image toy that’s been around since 1939. “View-Master” is described as a “four-quadrant family adventure,” though plot details, as well as the cast and director, haven’t been revealed.

“View-Master was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid (still is), because it gave me a chance to explore faraway worlds without ever leaving my room,” Johnston said. “I would escape into those slides for hours at a time, and no one would yell at me for staring. I want to bring the wonder I felt as a bowl-haired kid in the ’80s to the big screen now.”

The “View-Master” film will be overseen by Mattel Studios executives Tom McNulty and Arturo Thur de Koós. Robbie Brenner is producing on behalf of Mattel with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and Tony Shaw producing for Escape Artists. 

“View-Master has always been pure magic to me — a simple toy that opened entire worlds beyond imagination,” said McNulty, senior executive of film for Mattel. “It’s an incredible honor to have the brilliant Phil Johnston, one of the most soulful and inventive storytellers in film, at the helm of the View-Master reimagining.”

Black, a producer for Escape Artists, called Johnston “one of the most inventive creative voices working today.”

Mattel is also collaborating with Escape Artists to produce the upcoming “Masters of the Universe” live-action film. The toy company is working on movie versions of American Girl, Barbie, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and the card game Uno. Mattel’s only theatrical release to date has been Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning sensation “Barbie.”