From Idris Elba‘s thriller Hijack to Tom Holland‘s psychological drama The Crowded Room, Apple TV+ has had some big projects released this year. Their latest release comes in the form of The Beanie Bubble, a new comedy original film set to release this July.

Bringing an impressive cast led by Zach Galifianakis (The Bob’s Burgers Movie), alongside Elizabeth Banks (Call Jane), Sarah Snook (Succession) and Geraldine Viswanathan (Miracle Workers), this is a funny and nostalgic 90s throwback.

What’s The Beanie Bubble About?

If you were around at the time, you might remember Beanie Babies becoming the hottest item on the toy market: the cute and cuddly animals were everywhere. As the film shows though, Ty Inc., the company behind them, decided to make them artificially scarce by prematurely retiring them. This was the idea of the company’s founder, Ty Warner (played by Galifianakis in The Beanie Bubble), who recognised that rarity meant more attention and more money.

With the aid of the internet, which was just taking off, resellers sent the Beanie Babies to hugely inflated values- with the toys making up some 10% of eBay sales in the late 90s. This created the titular “Beanie Bubble”. Ty might be the centre of the film, but as Apple’s synopsis says, it was the help of three women that made the Beanie Craze a sure thing.

Who Else Stars?

Banks plays Robbie, Ty’s business partner, who’s a bit more down-to-earth and business savvy than the often-eccentric Warner. With their ideas and selling skills, the Beanie Babies take off as a hot item, but Ty is the one who takes all the credit, and his ego and overly meticulous nature start to get on other people’s nerves. Ty’s wife, meanwhile, is Shelia Warner, supportive of her husband and his billion-dollar venture, and played by Sarah Snook, who’s also set to appear in Dorian Gray on the West End next year.

Finally, Geraldine Viswanathan, star of Ethan Cohen’s upcoming Drive Away Dolls, stars as Maya, a junior worker at Ty Inc. who becomes part of the growing Beanie Bubble.

Watch The Trailer

‌Yes, and it certainly gives an idea of the over-the-top comedy that the movie is going for, opening with Zach Galifianakis looking nearly unrecognisable as Ty, talking about how in America you can “do anything!” As Ty reveals his plan to investors, he’s met with skepticism: but things soon start to take off as the Beanie Babies become massively popular. The film is directed meanwhile by husband-wife duo Kristin Gore, who worked on Her, and OK GO frontman Damian Kulash.

When Will It Be Released?

It’s set to release on Apple TV+ on 21st July.

Culture, Lifestyle

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