The studio acquired screen rights to the fanged, elf-like rabbit figure from Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, planning a live-action feature.
Summary
- Sony Pictures has acquired the film rights to Labubu, the collectible, elf-like rabbit figure created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung.
- The project, currently in a nascent stage, is planned as a live-action feature following the character’s massive global popularity, driven by K-pop endorsements and a “blind-box” sales model.
- The move represents a significant bet on the longevity of the Pop Mart-produced brand, aiming to connect Asian-originated intellectual property with Hollywood production.
Sony Pictures has acquired the screen rights to Labubu, the fanged, elf-like rabbit figure that has become a pop culture fixation over the past year. The studio is planning a live-action feature based on the collectible, with the potential for a franchise.
The character is part of “The Monsters” series, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and produced by the Chinese toymaker Pop Mart. Though Labubu first appeared on the market in 2015, its status grew rapidly in recent months, moving from a niche collectible to a mainstream item.
This surge is attributed to several factors. A series of celebrity endorsements, particularly from the K-pop space, helped make the brand a household name. The sales method has also been key. The toys are sold in a “blind-box” format, meaning the specific character inside is a mystery until the package is opened. This strategy has fueled an active and “intensely upcharged secondary market.”
The film project itself is in an extremely nascent stage; no producers or talent are attached. Sony Pictures offered no comment on the acquisition.
The film is expected to be a live-action adaptation exploring the “fantastical and adventurous elements” of The Monsters’ universe. The original character is defined by a mix of “childlike innocence” and “subtle anarchic mischief.”
This acquisition marks a major expansion for the character beyond the toy shelf. Film production is a years-long process, and the move shows Sony is placing a bet on the brand’s ability to remain relevant and draw a film-going audience upon its eventual release. It also signifies an investment in bridging successful Asian-originated intellectual property with Hollywood’s global distribution channels.
