EXCLUSIVE: Mattel, the global toy and family entertainment company behind Barbie, today announced the formation of Mattel Studios, which will bring the company’s film and television units together under the leadership of Robbie Brenner.
After nearly seven years as President of Mattel Films, Brenner has been elevated to President and Chief Content Officer of Mattel Studios, where her influence will expand beyond film and into television. She continues to report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ynon Kreiz, who said, “Our vision for Mattel Studios is to collaborate with leading creators to make standout quality content based on Mattel’s iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences. Robbie’s relationships, track record, and expertise in leading the creative process for brand-led content will strengthen Mattel’s position as a trusted partner for the world’s top creative talent across film and television. We look forward to Mattel Studios’ success under Robbie’s continued and expanded leadership.”
Premiering 14 TV series and specials this year, with another 12 series in production and 30+ in development, Mattel Studios has tapped Jennifer Breslow to oversee the strategic direction of the company’s television slate, content creation, and distribution as Head of Television.
The company also today announced the addition of Darian Lanzetta and Tom McNulty, who will spearhead the development and production of major motion pictures based on Mattel’s IP, as Senior Executives, Film. All three new appointees will report to Brenner.
“Mattel has attracted some of the greatest talent of our generation to reimagine our brands and characters as motion pictures. I am grateful for the opportunity to create unparalleled stories from our beloved IP beyond film into episodic content,” said Brenner in a statement to Deadline. “We proudly welcome Jennifer, Darian, and Tom as we embark on this next exciting phase of Mattel’s entertainment journey. Together we are well positioned to support our growing slate, continue building a home for best-in-class creators, and develop content that resonates with audiences around the world.”
Boasting 30 years of experience in entertainment, with two Best Picture Oscar nominations under her belt — for Barbie and Dallas Buyers Club — Brenner joined Mattel in 2018. Under her leadership, the company currently has a robust slate of films in development, along with two in production. Their live-action Masters of the Universe, starring Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, is slated for release in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026. Their live-action Matchbox film for Apple, starring John Cena, recently wrapped principal photography and is slated for release in Fall 2026.
Mattel Studios’ new Head of Television, Breslow, most recently served as Executive Vice President of Television and Digital Media at Legendary Entertainment, where she led development on a slate of scripted series. Previously, she held senior roles at Netflix, where she oversaw international originals across multiple regions and led global hits like Fate: The Winx Saga and Firefly Lane. Prior to that, she served in executive leadership roles at A+E/Lifetime (UnREAL), ABC (Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy), The CW (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl), and Outerbanks Entertainment, where she rose from assistant to Vice President. She began her career as a PA on Boy Meets World.
Lanzetta joins following 12 years at CAA, where she most recently served as a Motion Picture Lit Agent representing a wide range of established and emerging directors, writers, and producers, with a strong focus on championing diverse and female voices. She worked closely with Mattel to build the company’s filmed entertainment slate while at the agency, facilitating deals and talent attachments for films like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Bob the Builder, Masters of the Universe, Barney, and Monster High. She began her entertainment career as an intern in CAA’s New York office.
Bringing 25 years of experience and $2 billion in global box office success to his role at Matte, McNulty was most recently Principal at MC Squared Media, where he collaborated with top talent including Ozark creator Bill Dubuque, as well as Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Nate Bargatze, Steve Carell, and Miles Teller. His recent credits include Untold: Crimes and Penalties (Netflix), The Stand In starring Drew Barrymore, and The Spectacular Now, which premiered at Sundance and earned multiple awards. He began his career under famed producer and executive Sid Ganis and previously held executive roles at Global Produce, Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment, and Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions.
Mattel cemented its status as a player to watch in entertainment with Barbie, the Oscar-winning film from Greta Gerwig, which in July 2023 became Warner Bros’ fastest film to $1 billion and stands as the studio’s highest-grossing film to date, at a worldwide gross exceeding $1.4 billion. Last month announcing development alongside TriStar on a Whac-A-Mole hybrid feature, they prior to that tapped Ayo Edebiri to pen their live-action Barney movie to be produced alongside A24 and Daniel Kaluuya.
Currently, Mattel also has projects in development for iconic IP like American Girl, Hot Wheels, Bob the Builder, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone.
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