LABUBU Goes Hollywood: What European IP Owners Must Learn Now Chinese toy brand Pop Mart has signed with Sony Pictures to develop a live-action LABUBU film directed by Paul King — the British director behind Paddington and Wonka. This isn't a licensing deal or a soft cultural test. It's a full-stack IP play that bypasses every stage European entertainment companies assumed would slow Chinese consumer brands down. ## What happened in China On March 19, 2026, Pop Mart announced it was co-developing a live-action film based on LABUBU — its elf-like collectible character — in partnership with Sony Pictures. Paul King, the British director who turned Paddington Bear into a global theatrical phenomenon and directed Wonka, was confirmed as director. Steven Levenson, an acclaimed screenwriter, joined King on script duties. The announcement landed with the force of a category signal, not just a business deal. LABUBU is not a…