Ayo Edebiri — yes, Ayo Edebiri — has been tapped to write the screenplay for the live-action Barney movie from A24. But that's not all. The Emmy-winning star of The Bear is also in talks to star in the upcoming feature,

The feature film was first announced back in October 2019 Ayo Edebiri is seeing purple! The Bear actress, 29, is in talks to join the cast of Daniel Kaluuya's upcoming live-action Barney movie and has also been tapped to write the script.

Edebiri is an inspired choice (because, frankly, putting her in anything is an inspired choice), but specifically because the weird tone Mattel execs set out for this project in 2023 is right up her alley.

"The Bear" star Ayo Edebiri is set to write and star in a full length live-action movie for film studio A24 all about Barney the purple dinosaur.

When I heard that The Bear star, Julia Roberts-esque fashion icon, perfect Letterboxd user, and all-around sweetie angel Ayo Edebiri would be writing—and potentially starring in —a live-action Barney movie for Mattel and A24, I initially felt…conflicted.

A24 is also on board as a producer, alongside Kaluuya and Rowan Riley for 59% Productions. First announced in 2019, the film has been described as a surrealistic take on the iconic purple dinosaur, targeting millennials rather than children.

Ayo Edebiri will write the screenplay for the 'Barney' movie, which is being produced by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions.

Ayo Edebiri will write and possibly star in a live-action "Barney" movie for adults, based on the purple dinosaur from "Barney & Friends."

Daniel Kaluuya is teaming up with Mattel Films to produce a big-screen live-action film starring our favorite purple dinosaur, Barney.

Barney is heading back to the big screen with a little help from . Deadline reported Tuesday that “The Bear” star and Dorchester native will write the screenplay for a new, live-action movie based on beloved purple dinosaur.