Sony Pictures to Develop film Based on popular Chinese Collectibles, Labubu
Los Angeles, CA – Sony Pictures has acquired teh rights to develop a film based on Labubu, the widely popular Chinese monster characters created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung (known as ‘as’), The Hollywood Reporter announced this week. The project marks the latest move to adapt popular toy and game franchises for the big screen.
Labubu first emerged in 2015 as illustrations in a series of books by Lung. The characters gained viral traction after being produced as collectible figures by the Chinese company Pop Mart and How2Work. Initially adopted by celebrities as fashion accessories, Labubu quickly became a global collecting phenomenon, attracting both children and adults. The figures are frequently enough sold in “blind boxes,” concealing the specific character inside, fueling a widespread collecting craze that originated in Southeast Asia.
The popularity of labubu has spawned over 300 distinct designs, including limited-edition collaborations wiht brands like Coca-Cola and One Piece, and even figures sold in museums such as the Louvre. A giant green Labubu figure was auctioned in Beijing last June for approximately €130,000 (equivalent to roughly $140,000 USD at the time).
Pop mart’s revenue increased by 350% thanks to the success of the Labubu and related character lines, which also include Zimono, Mokoko, and Tycoco.
While Sony pictures has not yet disclosed details regarding the film’s format – whether it will be animated or live-action – the project signals a continued trend of capitalizing on the lucrative collectible toy market. the long-term staying power of the Labubu craze remains to be seen, but Sony appears poised to leverage the current momentum.
