‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ Star Laila Lockhart Kraner on How Upcoming Movie Will Appeal Beyond the Series’ Pre-School Audience

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Laila Lockhart Kraner, the lead in the upcoming “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie,” speaks highly of her adult co-stars, Kristen Wiig and Gloria Estefan. The young starlet believes that these two talented actresses will play a significant role in helping the live-action adaptation grow beyond the preschool foundation of the franchise.

The magical, feline-themed journey story is adapted from the DreamWorks Animation TV series on streaming platforms. It centers around Gabby (Lockhart Kraner), who’s known for her cat ears and enchanted cat-filled home. Alongside her grandmother GiGi (Estefan), they embark on a trip to Cat Francisco. However, when an unexpected turn of events lands the cathouse in the possession of the eccentric cat lady Vera (Wiig), Gabby and her lively feline companions must venture into reality to recover their home and save it from Vera’s grasp.

The trailer for the upcoming film was unveiled earlier this month, set to the tune of Chappell Roan’s “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.” This preview hints at a hilarious journey ahead, with Ego Nwodim, Kyle Mooney, Melissa Villaseñor, Thomas Lennon, Jason Mantzoukas, and Fortune Feimster being some of the actors you can expect to see in this production.

In the original version, it’s just me and the cat characters, but for this new version, we have Kristen Wiig and Gloria Estefan on board. Kristen’s humor is absolutely hilarious; kids will be giggling, while parents will join in the laughter too. It’s going to be a whole new level of fun. Watching Kristen, even though I’ve been doing the show, has been incredible. Gloria is such an icon, but she was so humble and real. I feel like I learned so much from both of them in different ways,” Lockhart Kraner shared with The Hollywood Reporter on the blue carpet of Universal Epic Universe’s grand opening.

Going beyond just the star actresses, Lockhart Kraner hints that viewers should anticipate a larger-than-life version of the show, featuring the popular call-and-response interactions. During the play’s run, the tradition of breaking the fourth wall will not only persist but will also cater to adult audiences. This approach mirrors that of another interactive preschool series, Dora the Explorer, whose 2019 live adaptation, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, garnered appreciation from older viewers. This paves the way for the enthusiastic audience engagement characteristic of children’s movies, like Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ upcoming release Minecraft.

Lockhart Kraner explains that the primary message of the movie revolves around the might of playfulness and preserving it throughout life, a concept he believes is universal regardless of age. A crucial aspect of this production is fostering participation among all participants, making it an interactive experience. It’s not only the children who are playing; the adults are involved as well in this shared playtime.

The bond Gabby establishes with the audience through direct eye contact on screen remains present. The audience becomes part of the narrative too. This call-and-response dynamic is something to anticipate, and it’s all about drawing people into the story world and encouraging them to contribute.

In Gabby’s upcoming movie, while the call-and-response format will stay consistent, Lockhart Kraner hints at a major shift from small to big screen. As Gabby has always been confined within her bedroom throughout 11 seasons, this is the first time she’ll step outside, and it promises to be a breathtaking experience. I had a sneak peek and it was fascinating to see Gabby and her cats venturing into the world outside their universe. The animation is simply outstanding, and the detail on Pandy’s fur is astonishingly realistic.

In theaters on September 26th, we have “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie,” a live-action adaptation of a beloved animated DreamWorks series. This year, it joins another popular DreamWorks property making its way to the big screen, namely, “How to Train Your Dragon” (directed by Dean DeBlois), which features Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler, and will be released on June 13th. In terms of television shows for kids, “Gabby’s Dollhouse” already has a presence in DreamWorks Land. It will collaborate with other DreamWorks properties like “Shrek,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Trolls” to strengthen the Universal Destinations & Experiences Texas-based park for children.

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2025-05-24 20:55