Bob the Builder becomes ‘Roberto’ as cartoon handyman gets Hollywood makeover
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Bob the Builder is being reimagined as “Roberto” in a Barbie-style Hollywood film set in Puerto Rico and produced by Jennifer Lopez.
The beloved handyman has been a fixture of children’s TV since he first appeared on CBBC in 1999.
Now the construction worker, who is known for his catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes we can!” is heading to Hollywood, for a new outing.
Hot on the heels of the success of Barbie, toy company Mattel is planning to release a cinematic adaptation based on the children’s character.
In the film Roberto – “Bob” – will travel to Puerto Rico for a construction job, where he “takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build”, according to the company.
“Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colourful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people,” Mattel added.
Lopez, 54, who was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, will act as the film’s executive producer through her company Nuyorican Productions, while Anthony Ramos, the Hamilton actor, will voice Bob’s character.
Mr Ramos, who has Puerto Rican heritage, said he planned to bring “elements of life that are inspired by my own” into the film.
“For years, Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world,” he said.
“A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!”
Felipe Vargas, the Colombian director, is writing the screenplay, while the director has not yet been announced.
“Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognise, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films.
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Lopez’s producing partner, said: “The show’s ability to promote positive thinking, problem-solving and empowerment with a completely original story set in Puerto Rico puts a new spin on a beloved brand.
“We can’t wait for new and existing fans to connect with these amazing characters.”
Created by Keith Chapman, Bob the Builder launched on CBBC and ran for 12 series. The original series follows Bob, voiced by Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey, and his friends as they carry out construction projects together.
It is not clear whether Bob’s trusty group of helpers, including Scoop the digger and Dizzy the cement mixer, will also appear in the film.
The show’s catchy theme song, Can We Fix It? became a chart hit and was the UK Christmas No 1 in 2000.
Meanwhile, Ms Lopez had her first No 1 hit the following year with Love Don’t Cost A Thing.
While Bob the Builder is a British show, the characters were dubbed with American voices when it was syndicated in the US.
Mattel bought Hit, the company that owned Bob the Builder and Thomas and Friends in 2011 for $680 million (£535million).
Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, making $1.4billion (£1.1billion) at the box office. It has earned eight Oscar nominations, five Bafta nominations and two Golden Globe wins.
Mattel Films is also developing projects based on other popular toy lines, including American Girl, Hot Wheels, Magic Ball and Barney.
