Ryan Gosling is heading back to Bedrock — although this time, he is working behind the camera.

The Barbie and La La Land star is developing a new live-action The Flintstones movie at Warner Bros. alongside producer Jessie Henderson through their production company, Open Invite.

The project is still in the early stages of development, and the producers are currently searching for a writer. However, one major creative direction has already emerged: instead of simply rebooting Fred Flintstone’s story, the movie is expected to center on a grown-up Bamm-Bamm Rubble.

No actors have been announced, and there is currently no confirmation that Gosling himself plans to appear in the movie.

For actors and entertainment professionals, the project is also worth watching as development progresses. A major Warner Bros. live-action franchise movie could eventually create opportunities across principal casting, background acting and production.

Ryan Gosling and Warner Bros. Are Bringing The Flintstones Back

The new project marks another attempt to bring one of animation’s most recognizable families to live action.

According to reports, Ryan Gosling and Henderson are developing the feature through Open Invite, with Warner Bros. backing the project. The movie does not yet have a screenwriter attached, emphasizing just how early it remains in the development process.

Plot details are similarly limited.

What has been reported is that Bamm-Bamm Rubble will be the central character, with the story focusing on him as an adult.

That direction could allow Warner Bros. to revisit Bedrock without simply recreating the familiar adventures of Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty.

It could also introduce The Flintstones to a new generation while maintaining connections to characters audiences have known for more than six decades.

Why Bamm-Bamm Could Give The Flintstones a Different Story

Bamm-Bamm was introduced as the adopted son of Barney and Betty Rubble and quickly became recognizable for his extraordinary strength.

But the character has previously been explored beyond childhood.

The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show debuted in 1971 and presented teenage versions of Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles Flintstone. The characters attended Bedrock High School, dated and performed together in a band called the Bedrock Rockers. Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty also appeared in the animated series.

Making Bamm-Bamm an adult therefore gives the filmmakers room to build on an existing part of Flintstones history while taking the franchise somewhere its previous theatrical live-action movies did not.

Ryan Gosling Could Help Introduce an Adult Bamm-Bamm

The biggest unanswered question is what kind of movie the producers want to make.

An adult Bamm-Bamm could support several directions, from a family comedy to a more contemporary story about growing up in Bedrock.

There is also no confirmation about whether Pebbles Flintstone will have a major role. Given the characters’ history, however, her potential involvement will likely become one of the biggest questions surrounding the project.

For now, reports only establish Bamm-Bamm as the focus.

The Flintstones Began as a Primetime Television Landmark

Before becoming a movie franchise, The Flintstones was a television phenomenon.

The Hanna-Barbera animated sitcom debuted on ABC in 1960 and followed working-class couple Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their neighbors and best friends Barney and Betty Rubble.

Set in the fictional prehistoric community of Bedrock, the series combined suburban family life with Stone Age technology.

Dinosaurs became household appliances, stone vehicles filled the roads and prehistoric animals regularly took the place of modern machinery.

The series was also historically important because it became the first animated television series to air in a primetime slot.

Its characters have since appeared across numerous television series, specials, movies, comics and other entertainment properties.

The Flintstones Has Already Been Adapted Into Live Action Twice

Warner Bros.’ developing project won’t be Hollywood’s first attempt to bring Bedrock into live action.

The first major adaptation arrived in 1994 with The Flintstones.

Directed by Brian Levant, the movie featured:

• John Goodman as Fred Flintstone
• Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble
• Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone
• Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rubble
• Halle Berry as Miss Stone

The movie became a significant commercial success, earning approximately $341.6 million worldwide.

A second movie, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, arrived in 2000 with a new cast.

Mark Addy played Fred, Stephen Baldwin portrayed Barney, Kristen Johnston played Wilma and Jane Krakowski appeared as Betty.

The prequel performed considerably more modestly, earning approximately $59.5 million worldwide.

Combined, the two previous theatrical live-action movies earned just over $401 million worldwide.

7 Things We Know About the New Flintstones Movie

With the project only beginning to take shape, there are still plenty of unknowns. Here’s what has been reported so far:

1. The movie will be live action. Warner Bros. is developing another big-screen version of the classic animated property.
2. Bamm-Bamm Rubble is expected to be the lead character. Reports specifically describe the movie as focusing on an adult version of Barney and Betty’s son.
3. Gosling is producing. He is developing the project through Open Invite rather than currently being announced as a cast member.
4. Jessie Henderson is producing alongside him. Henderson is Gosling’s producing partner at Open Invite.
5. The project is looking for a writer. A screenplay has not yet been announced.
6. No cast has been revealed. That includes the actor who will eventually play Bamm-Bamm.
7. There is no release date yet. With development still at such an early stage, production and release timelines remain unknown.

Those unanswered questions make the project one to follow closely as Warner Bros. begins assembling its creative team.

Is Ryan Gosling Playing Bamm-Bamm?

At this stage, there is no indication that Ryan Gosling will play Bamm-Bamm.

Current reports describe Gosling as a producer developing the project with Henderson. No cast members have been announced.

That distinction is important because headlines connecting a major actor with a movie can sometimes create the impression that they are starring in it.

Gosling has increasingly expanded his work as a producer while maintaining his acting career.

His Open Invite banner is also producing Love of Your Life, a romantic drama directed by Rachel Morrison and starring Margaret Qualley, Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Basso and Catherine Keener.

The new Flintstones project further establishes his growing involvement in developing films from the production side.

Ryan Gosling Continues Expanding Beyond Acting

The project represents another step in Ryan Gosling’s evolution from leading actor to producer.

His career has included acclaimed dramatic performances in movies such as Half Nelson, Blue Valentine and Drive, major musicals such as La La Land, and large-scale studio productions including Blade Runner 2049 and Barbie.

His performance as Ken in Barbie earned him an Academy Award nomination and became one of the biggest mainstream successes of his career.

Now, his ongoing relationship with Warner Bros. is extending into development.

Rather than simply reviving The Flintstones around its most obvious character, focusing on Bamm-Bamm suggests Open Invite is looking for a different entry point into the property.

Whether Gosling eventually steps in front of the camera remains unknown.

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