Can they change it, yes they can.
British TV icon Bob the Builder finds himself at the center of an unlikely culture war after being turned into a social justice warrior for a new big-budget animated film produced by Jennifer Lopez.
The promotion – from toy giant Mattel, which owns the rights to the character and aims to capitalize on the success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie – sees the character named Roberto and the action taking place on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
But the decision to reinvent the children’s TV favorite has caused an uproar.
One fan wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter: “The woke mob got the Bob the Builder.”
The original Bob the Builder character (image). The move will see the character Roberto and the action take place on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico
Mattel, which is co-producing the film with singer Jennifer Lopez’s production company, hopes the new film will match the success of its Barbie movie, which grossed more than a billion dollars at the international box office (File Photo)
Another fan complained, “What business does a British construction worker have in Puerto Rico? This isn’t my Bob the Builder.’
Frank Furedi, the emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, also used the move to make Bob a social justice warrior.
He said: ‘According to the film’s producers, Bob the Builder now has “an important message” and Bob will become an icon for empowerment. Bob the Builder is not just a fun story for children, but now a medium to communicate identity politics.’
Last night, Keith Chapman, who created the character before selling the rights, welcomed the film and the casting, but said he hoped the character in the film would be called Bob.
Mr Chapman, who lives in Monaco, said: ‘I wouldn’t want to see Roberto in the title of the film. If I get a chance to speak to them, which I probably will over the next few years as this develops, I will raise the concerns of everyone in Britain.
‘We must try to listen to the Bob’s retrieving brigade. Many of these new parents grew up with Bob the Builder. For them it’s almost like leaving our Bob alone. Don’t argue with Bob.’
American actor Anthony Ramos, who is himself of Puerto Rican descent. will voice the character in the new film (File Photo)
In a statement announcing the new film, the producers said: ‘When Roberto “Bob” travels to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico for a major construction job, he takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build.’
American actor Anthony Ramos, who is himself of Puerto Rican descent. will voice the character in the new film.
The star said he was proud that the film will “add elements of life inspired by my own.”
Mattel, which is co-producing the film with singer Jennifer Lopez’s production company, hopes the new film will match the success of its Barbie movie, which grossed more than $1 billion at the international box office.
Neil Morrissey, who voiced Bob in the TV series, could not be reached for comment last night.