Barney fans react to childhood character’s ‘terrifying’ new look in franchise relaunch
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Mattel will relaunch Barney to a new generation with a brand-new animated series, set to debut globally in 2024,” the company wrote in a press release. Following the news, many original Barney fans took to Twitter, reacting in horror at the purple dinosaur’s refreshed look: a wider grin with an added space between his front teeth, big green eyes and eye ridges that arguably give him a more realistic dinosaur face. Someone joked: “I think it’s safe to say Barney has had some work done.” Others felt Barney’s makeover wasn’t that bad, including The Independent’s Nicole Vassell, who said: “He looks fine.” “Listen, I’m just gonna be real with you. It’s f***ing Barney.” “In creating the new series, it was important to us that we properly reflect the world that kids today live in so that the series can deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it,” said Fred Soulie, SVP and General Manager of Mattel Television, of the forthcoming reboot.