Popmart and Sony Pictures’ film Love Mart has officially announced the creative team that will bring the global phenomenon to the big screen.
The film is produced and directed by BAFTA-nominated director Paul King (Wonka, Paddington), who co-wrote the screenplay with award-winning screenwriter and playwright Stephen Levenson. Levenson has been nominated for a Tony Award (“Dear Evan Hansen”), a WGA Award (“Tick Tick…Boom!”), and an Emmy Award (FX’s “Fosse/Verdon”).
The “Labubu” project is still in early development stages and will be a hybrid of live-action and CGI.
These major developments were announced by Labubu creators Kasing Lung and King at the Paris venue of PopMart’s 10th Anniversary The Monsters World Exhibition Tour. Ten years ago, Lun, who was born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands, introduced the eccentric world of Love Bu to the world through a series of picture books collectively known as the Monster Trilogy. From there, the toy, manufactured and sold exclusively by China-based retailer Pop Mart, became a pop culture fixture.
Sony Pictures acquired the rights to the Lovey IP in 2025 amid growing interest in the trendy collectible fanged doll, which has become a status symbol thanks in part to celebrity endorsements. These toys come in a “blind box” format. In other words, the character you actually purchase is a mystery until you open it. This packaging strategy contributes to the product’s mystique and often expensive secondary market.
Lun will serve as executive producer on the movie “Love Bu.” The producers are King, Michael Schaefer (The Martian), and Wenxing Shi (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Wish Dragon). Brittany Morrissey will direct the project for Sony Pictures.
Paul King and Kessin Lung in Paris;
