The Daily Telegraph - Saturday
Bob the Builder follows in Barbie’s stilettos in new film adaptation
Mattel sends character on Latin-American adventure in Hollywood remake backed by Jennifer Lopez
BOB the Builder is being reimagined as “Roberto” in a Barbie-style Hollywood film set in Puerto Rico produced by Jennifer Lopez.
The beloved British handyman has been a fixture of children’s TV since he first appeared on CBBC in 1999.
Now the construction worker, who is known for his catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes we can!”, is heading to Hollywood for an entirely new project.
Hot off the success of Barbie, toy company Mattel is planning to release a cinematic adaptation based on the children’s character.
In the film Roberto – “Bob” – will travel to Puerto Rico for a major construction job, where he “takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build”, according to the company.
“Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colourful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people”, a spokesman for Mattel said.
Lopez, 54, who was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, will be the film’s executive producer through her company Nuyorican Productions.
Meanwhile, Hamilton actor Anthony Ramos, 32, will voice Bob’s character.
Ramos, who also has Puerto Rican heritage, said he plans to bring “elements of life that are inspired by my own” into the movie.
“For years, Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world,” he said.
“A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!”
Colombian director Felipe Vargas is writing the screenplay. A director has not yet been assigned to the project.
“Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognise, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films.
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Lopez’s producing partner, said: “The show’s ability to promote positive thinking, problem-solving and empowerment with a completely original story set in Puerto Rico puts a new spin on a beloved brand. We can’t wait for new and existing fans to connect with these amazing characters.”
Created by Keith Chapman, Bob the
Builder launched on CBBC and ran for 12 series. Bob was originally voiced by
Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey. It is not clear whether Bob’s trusty group of helpers, including Scoop the digger and Dizzy the cement mixer, will also appear in the film.
The show’s catchy theme song, Can We Fix
It? became a chart hit and was the UK Christmas No 1 in 2000.
Mattel bought Hit, the company that owned Bob
the Builder and Thomas and Friends in 2011 for $680 million (£535million). Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, making $1.4 billion at the box office. It has secured eight Oscar nominations, five Bafta nominations and two Golden Globe wins. Mattel Films is also developing projects based on its other popular toy lines.