Pop Mart has unveiled plans to launch a film studio dedicated to creating an animated series starring its popular blind box character, Labubu. This marks the first time a Pop Mart character will transition to television and film.
According to Chinese media, the company confirmed the registration for the copyright of the animated series titled Labubu 與朋友們, (Labubu and Friends) on 18 March. The recent opening of the theme park “Pop Land” in Beijing, and ongoing plans for further cinematic adaptations, further underscore the extent of Pop Mart’s ambitions.
According to Chinese financial news outlet Yicai, the founder and CEO of Pop Mart, Wang Ning, revealed that a few well-known film companies, including some from Hollywood, have also expressed their interest in making a Labubu movie.
[See more: The new Labubu Wacky Mart series is about to hit the shelves in Macao]
Pop Mart has an increasing international presence, with its most recent Labubu-themed store opening in Bali, Indonesia last month.
There is a strong local presence too – Macao is currently hosting the Pop Mart City Walk, co-organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office and there is a pop-up store at Grand Lisboa Palace.
A global craze, the Labubu characters are inspired by Nordic folklore, and were created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. The Labubu series features an extended family of figures, including leader Zimomo and others like Mokoko, Tycoco, Yaya, Spooky, and Pato.
