Tracie Laymon Turns a Forgotten Mattel Toy Into a Story About Second Chances
An award-winning filmmaker takes an unexpected next step
Careers do not always move in straight lines. Sometimes they zig, surprise you, and land somewhere far more interesting. Tracie Laymon is in that moment right now. After winning top honors at SXSW for Bob Trevino Likes It, she is stepping into a new kind of spotlight by writing and directing a live-action feature for Mattel Studios. The project centers on Tony the Tattooed Man, a discontinued 1990s action figure, but the heart of the story belongs to Laymon herself.
For audiences who value emotional intelligence as much as originality, this move feels deliberate. It signals confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to take creative risks. Like ordering something unfamiliar from a trusted chef, it makes you lean in rather than pull back. And yes, there is a sense of fun baked into the choice.
How Tracie Laymon reimagines a cult classic
Tony the Tattooed Man first appeared in 1992 as a muscle-bound action figure designed for customization. Kids could decorate him with temporary tattoos, change his look, and invent new identities. The toy did not last long on shelves, which later turned it into a rare vintage collectible.
What caught Tracie Laymon’s attention was not nostalgia. It was the idea of transformation. Her film reframes the toy as the foundation for a character-driven drama that blends surreal fantasy with emotional depth. At its core, the story is about seeing beyond the surface, a theme that resonates whether you are tasting an unfamiliar grape varietal or meeting someone you misjudged too quickly.
The project is overseen by Darian Greenbaum and Steve Spohr for Mattel Studios. Robbie Brenner produces on behalf of Mattel, with Ivan Sanchez also serving as a producer. It is a serious team for a story that wants to be taken seriously.
Why Tracie Laymon was the clear choice
Laymon’s breakout feature, Bob Trevino Likes It, premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival and won both the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature and the Audience Award. The film stars John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira and follows a lonely young woman who forms an unexpected online relationship with a stranger who shares her father’s name. It is intimate, funny in places, and quietly devastating in others.
Brenner explained the decision plainly: “After seeing Bob Trevino Likes It and the specificity and emotional depth that Tracie brings to her characters, I knew that she was the perfect person to develop Tony the Tattooed Man. It’s a story that feels especially relevant today, one that explores looking beyond first impressions and leading with empathy.”
Laymon herself framed it this way: “I was immediately drawn to Tony the Tattooed Man from the minute I saw his name and then learned about his short-lived journey as a discontinued toy. His story is a reminder of the healing power of second chances and not judging a book – or a person – by their cover, a message I believe the world needs right now. It is an honor to partner with Mattel, who are true allies for artists, on a film that will help restore our faith in humanity.”
If that does not sound like a filmmaker who understands emotional flavor, nothing does. This is not empty sweetness. There is complexity here, and it has bite.
A filmmaker shaped by global perspective
A Texas native, Tracie Laymon spent part of her teenage years in Russia before returning to the United States for college. That early exposure to different cultures helped shape her sensitivity to outsider stories and underdog perspectives. She is also a strong advocate for gender diversity and disability representation, both in front of and behind the camera.
Her work reflects those values without preaching. It trusts the audience to feel rather than be told. That approach plays well with sophisticated viewers in cities like Los Angeles, Berlin, London, and New York, where cultural literacy matters and emotional honesty still feels refreshing.
For more on SXSW’s role in launching filmmakers, visit https://www.sxsw.com.
To explore Mattel’s evolving film slate, see https://corporate.mattel.com.
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Mini FAQ
Q: Who is Tracie Laymon?
A: Tracie Laymon is an award-winning filmmaker whose feature Bob Trevino Likes It won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at SXSW.
Q: What is Tracie Laymon working on next?
A: She is writing and directing a live-action Tony the Tattooed Man film for Mattel Studios and is also developing her next original feature.
Q: Why is Tracie Laymon gaining attention now?
A: Her recent SXSW success and emotionally grounded storytelling have positioned her as a rising voice in character-driven cinema.
A career moment worth watching
What makes Tracie Laymon compelling right now is not just momentum. It is intention. She chooses projects that allow room for empathy, humor, and a sense of fun-loving experimentation. This upcoming film suggests a filmmaker settling into her voice while still pushing herself creatively. For audiences hungry for stories with warmth and texture, that is something to savor. Keep her name in mind. You will be hearing it more often.
