"M3GAN" Director Gerard Johnstone to Adapt "Monster High" Live-Action Movie

Gerard Johnstone has found his next doll-centric project. 

The “M3GAN” and “M3GAN 2.0” director has been tapped to helm the live-action “Monster High” film from Mattel, Universal Pictures and Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road banner.

The pic will feature an original story based on Mattel’s beloved fashion dolls imagined as the children of legendary monsters.

Johnstone’s “M3GAN” became a global box office success and grossed over $180 million worldwide. He also helms the sequel, “M3GAN 2.0,” due in theaters from Universal Pictures on June 27. 

A standout voice in genre filmmaking, Johnstone is also the creator of the cult-favorite haunted house comedy “Housebound” and the award-winning satirical series “The Jaquie Brown Diaries.”

First introduced in 2010, Monster High immediately fostered a passionate fandom with themes encouraging fans of all ages to embrace their authentic selves and what makes them unique.

Brenner and Goldsman will produce “Monster High.” Overseeing the project are Arturo Thur de Koós for Mattel and Greg Lessans for Weed Road. Universal Pictures’ Senior Vice President of Production Lexi Barta and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell are overseeing the project for the studio.

Mattel Studios has announced 15 films in development including “American Girl,” “Barney,” “Bob the Builder,” “Hot Wheels,” “Magic 8 Ball,” “Major Matt Mason,” “Monster High,” “Polly Pocket,” “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,” “Thomas & Friends,” “UNO,” “View-Master,” “Whac-A-Mole” and “Wishbone,” as well as “Christmas Balloon,” a holiday family drama based on all-new IP. 

Mattel Studios also has two live-action movies in production: “Masters of the Universe,” scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2026, and the John Cena-led “Matchbox,” which recently wrapped principal photography and is slated for release in Fall 2026.