King is also co-writing the film with Steven Levenson and Simon Farnaby. Now, Farnaby has offered a new detail about the story, revealing that the movie will draw from the Nordic mythology behind Labubu and the other creatures.
The Labubu Movie Will Explore the Creatures’ Nordic Mythology
In a conversation with Variety, Farnaby explained that Labubu creator Kasing Lung presented the filmmakers with a backstory exploring where the creatures came from. According to Farnaby, that history is rooted in Nordic mythology and gave the writers an unexpectedly rich foundation for the movie. He said the team saw the potential for a story that could be both emotionally engaging and visually suited to the world of Labubu.
Source: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
That mythology is part of Labubu’s original identity. Lung created the character as part of “The Monsters,” a series influenced by the Nordic folklore and mythology he encountered during his childhood. Labubu and the other creatures were conceived as mischievous, elf-like figures, with their unusual appearances helping distinguish them from more traditional fantasy characters.
The movie will expand that foundation into a feature-length story. Rather than simply placing the popular plush character into a conventional live-action setting, the filmmakers appear to be interested in exploring the fictional world that existed behind the designs. The combination of live action and CGI will allow the creatures to interact with a human world while retaining the distinctive look associated with Lung’s creations.
King’s involvement also gives the project a filmmaker with experience turning whimsical characters and their origins into major studio productions. He directed both “Paddington” movies before making “Wonka.”
