Warner Bros. is taking another trip to Bedrock, with Ryan Gosling attached to produce a new live-action take on “The Flintstones.” The project, which is in early development, marks the latest attempt to bring the iconic Hanna-Barbera cartoon family to the big screen.
The 1994 live-action film, directed by Brian Levant, remains the benchmark for the franchise’s theatrical presence. That picture starred John Goodman as Fred Flintstone, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble, and Rosie O'Donnell as Betty. The story centered on Fred helping his best friend Barney and Betty adopt a child, a kindness that Barney attempts to repay when the Slate Mining company runs a test to select a new executive. As the official synopsis warns, however, no good deed goes unpunished, and Fred’s life quickly spirals into prehistoric chaos.
That earlier film also featured a notably stacked supporting cast, including Kyle MacLachlan as corporate schemer Cliff Vandercave, Halle Berry as his seductive assistant Sharon Stone, and Elizabeth Taylor in a memorable turn as Wilma’s mother, Pearl Slaghoople. Dann Florek rounded out the main players as Fred’s demanding boss, Mr. Slate. The movie, which arrived in theaters on May 27, 1994, ran a tight 91 minutes and mixed live-action performances with then-cutting-edge animatronic dinosaurs and oversized props to recreate the cartoon’s whimsical Stone Age world.
Critics were not especially kind to that release, and audiences were lukewarm, as evidenced by its modest TMDb rating of 5.379 out of 10. Despite the mixed reception, the film performed well enough at the box office to spawn a sequel, “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,” in 2000, though that prequel went straight to a different cast and a considerably smaller footprint.
Now, three decades later, Warner Bros. is circling the property again, this time with Gosling in a producer’s chair rather than in front of the camera. There is no indication yet whether Gosling will also star, though his involvement as a producer signals a serious commitment from the studio to reboot the franchise with fresh eyes. The actor, known for his range from “La La Land” to “Barbie,” has shown a knack for blending comedy with earnestness, which could inform the tone of this new adaptation.
The announcement raises immediate questions about creative direction. The original cartoon, which debuted in prime time in 1960, was celebrated for its sharp satire of mid-century suburban life, transplanted into a prehistoric setting filled with gadgetry powered by birds, elephants, and other animals. The 1994 film leaned heavily into broad family comedy, but a modern take might choose to lean harder into the source material’s social commentary, particularly given the current appetite for nostalgic IP with a contemporary edge.
No screenwriter or director has been attached to the project yet, and plot details remain under wraps. The studio has not confirmed whether this will be a direct remake of the 1994 film, a fresh origin story, or a continuation of the cartoon’s episodic spirit. Given that the 1994 movie’s plot - with its focus on adoption, workplace ethics, and the bond between Fred and Barney - remains a natural template, the new version could revisit similar emotional stakes.
Gosling’s production company has been active in recent years, and this project adds to a growing slate of high-profile reboots across Hollywood. The actor’s recent turn in “Barbie” demonstrated his comfort with property-based comedy that both honors and gently mocks its source material, a balance that could serve a “Flintstones” revival well.
The original 1994 film was a significant technical undertaking for its time, using elaborate practical sets and puppetry to bring Bedrock to life. A modern production would presumably lean on CGI and virtual production techniques, offering a vastly different visual language. Whether that shift will win over longtime fans or alienate them remains an open question.
Warner Bros. has not announced a release date, and with the project only in its formative stages, a theatrical bow is likely years away. Still, the mere fact that a star of Gosling’s caliber is attached - even as producer - signals the studio sees lasting value in the Flintstone surname.
For now, the focus is on assembling a creative team and a script that can justify another trip back to the Stone Age. The 1994 film may not have been a critical darling, but it proved the concept could work as a live-action spectacle. The challenge now is to make it feel essential rather than merely nostalgic.
As development moves forward, fans will be watching closely to see whether Gosling steps in front of the camera as well. His name carries weight, and his taste in projects has been unpredictable enough that almost anything seems possible. One thing is certain: the Flintstone family is far from extinct.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
