This Iconic Dinosaur Is Getting A Complete Makeover!

Barney the Dinosaur is getting a makeover!

Three decades after Barney became a cultural icon, the legendary children’s character is receiving a revamp for the 2020s. 

13 years after “Barney and Friends” wrapped, Barney will be back on the block; the controversial popular culture figure, (more on that later), is getting the animated treatment in a new series!

Proof of Barney’s legacy can definitely be seen through fan reactions to his new look; fan reaction seems quite divided on social media. 

Read on to get the scoop on the next chapter for one of pop culture’s most beloved pals, and how many of Barney’s old friends are reacting to his new look!

30 years after the premiere of “Barney And Friends,” Barney-mania made its way back into the spotlight, being re-examined via a Peacock two-part docuseries, “I Love You, You Hate Me.” 

The documentary took a look at not only the cultural impact of Barney’s influence on children in the early ‘90’s but the subculture element of loathing Barney; multiple notable figures behind the so-called ‘Anti Barney’ movement are interviewed in the documentary. 

The shocking rise of anti-Barney culture is supplemented by the inclusion of Barney creator Sheryl Leach’s initial inspiration and messaging behind the character. 

“Barney stands for inclusion, acceptance. You should love everyone, we all have Sheryl Leach to thank for that,” is a quote used in the documentary from a ‘Barney’ crew member. (via The Blast)

Like the beloved dino’s new animated revamped look, fans were quite surprised by the footage included in the documentary’s trailer!

“Whole childhood in shambles, but ima watch bc huh,” a shocked fan tweeted. “Nah why would y’all give adults more childhood traumas, i don’t want to know the behind barney story,” the flabbergasted follower tweeted.

“Soo y’all just gonna continue to taint our childhood memories,” another follower asked on Twitter. “...copy!”

However, another crop of viewers chose to view the documentary through a sociological lens; why did a loving and kind dinosaur make adults react with hatred and anger?

“So this is really not about drama behind the show but more about how adults hate things like this,” a Twitter user pointed out. “The moment Barney got popular, adults came with all these conspiracy theories to ruin a show that was intended for children.”

“We do not care,” another Twitter user weighed in. “Baby Bop [and] Barney never presented anything dark. They were our homies! If it was behind the scenes, they were adults.”

The documentary also features celebrity interviews; Bill Nye and Al Rocker were on hand to provide their thoughts pertaining to Barney’s legacy. 

A new generation of kiddos will soon have a chance to form a friendship with a new incarnation of the beloved children’s bestie. 

Barney will be returning to pop culture in full force next year; according to NPR, Mattel Inc. is behind a “comprehensive revitalization of the ‘Barney’ brand.” In addition to an animated series, a slew of merchandise will be available, as well as “a film, YouTube content, music, toys, books, and apparel for kids and kids-at-heart.”

Reactions to Barney’s new look from the “kids at heart” were a-plenty, and many of them were aghast. 

“Idiots made Barney a purple alligator?” asked a Twitter user. 

Veronica McDonald tweeted, “They gave Barney contacts, a nose job, and bigger veneers. Sad.”

“People who make videos like ‘Childhood is dead’ after a single image of a Barney reboot make me desire for such videos not to exist at all,” a viewer explained. “I’m scared companies will cancel stuff only based on certain group’s hatred of the still to be released new animated things.”

They added, “Hopefully not. Childhood can’t be stated there due to new versions at all. I’d personally take offence [sic] if original shows were forever deleted and destroyed in favor of new versions but no? This isn’t happening (and even then it’d not be the fault of new versions.)

“Nobody, absolutely nobody, asked for this,” another Twitter user wrote. “What kind of test groups do they use to give them the idea that anybody would want a Barney reboot?”

“Mascot Barney is the GOAT,” another Twitter user weighed in. “the reboot looks like he got botox.”

“New Barney looks weird,” a viewer tweeted. “I want the old Barney back. #BarneyReboot And lmao no I’m not watching the new show or whatever. Saw a picture of the new one. Yikes.”

Not all reception to Barney’s new revamped look was negative. 

“tbh the new Barney isn’t even that bad like it’s obviously a reboot for a new generation of children with a more updated design. is it too hard to grasp?” a viewer asked.