Robbie Brenner

President of Mattel Films, Mattel

Search every verified Robbie Brenner interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films, has been discussing the development and success of the "Barbie" film, which she described as "the biggest movie of the year" and noted broke 17 box office records. She stated that concept testing initially placed Barbie "near the bottom of the list" because audiences saw it as being for "really young girls," but she chose to proceed, saying, "I can't run, I've got to make it work." Brenner said the film's audience test screenings were "very seldom" in their positive reception, with audiences "just like happy." She also said Mattel is developing 14 projects, including "Hot Wheels" and "Polly Pocket," with collaborators such as Lena Dunham and JJ Abrams, and emphasized that the goal is "not about selling toys" but "bringing these properties to life in a meaningful way." Brenner has also spoken about her approach to filmmaking, saying she aims to "empower people and support people" by giving them "freedom and space to be able to create." She stated that "great movies start with singular authentic visions" and that she is drawn to stories that are "raw and real and authentic and complicated and controversial and polarizing," which she called "the hardest stories to tell." Reflecting on past projects like "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Burden," she described overcoming financing challenges by "willing the movie into existence" and noted that "starting with a good script" is "80% of making a good movie."