‘Skibidi Toilet’ Film and TV Franchise in Development by Michael Bay and Adam Goodman

“Skibidi Toilet,” a controversial animated Internet phenomenon, is set to expand into television and movies. Director Michael Bay and former Paramount Pictures president Adam Goodman are working on the project. They discussed their plans in an exclusive interview on Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast.

Goodman revealed, “We are currently in discussions for both television and film adaptations. However, this is just one aspect of our broader strategy.” The potential for transitioning Skibidi from digital shorts on YouTube and Roblox to mainstream media is significant, given its large online audience.

The phenomenon started on February 7, 2023, when Alexey Gerasimov uploaded an 11-second video titled “skibidi toilet” on his YouTube channel DaFuq!?Boom!. The video, featuring a head emerging from a toilet singing, quickly became a cultural sensation. Gerasimov’s creation evolved into over 70 mini-episodes showcasing an epic war between Toilets and Cyborgs, capturing a global audience with its explosive, dialogue-free content.

Goodman, who co-runs the “Tra-digital” independent studio Invisible Narratives with Bay, sees potential in Skibidi similar to major franchises like “Transformers” or the Marvel universe. This fall, Skibidi will transition into physical merchandise, further expanding its reach.

Michael Bay and his longtime production designer Jeffrey Beecroft are collaborating closely with Gerasimov to professionalize the series for potential film or TV production. Goodman mentioned they are considering a hybrid animated/live-action style akin to “John Wick” and “District 9.”

The move from digital to traditional media platforms is a growing trend. Other digital-native IPs, such as MrBeast and Cocomelon, have successfully transitioned to TV and theaters. “Skibidi Toilet” could be the next to make this leap, following the release of “Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure” in theaters nationwide.

Goodman also shared that Invisible Narratives is taking an unconventional approach by allowing YouTube creators to produce their own Skibidi content. This strategy amplifies the brand’s power, contrasting with the typical approach of issuing takedowns for unauthorized works.

On platforms like Roblox, Skibidi-inspired games have gained massive popularity. For instance, “Skibidi Toilet Tycoon” has over 75 million plays in just 11 months, and “Skibidi Toilet Multiverse” logged 10 million plays in its first year.

Skibidi’s meteoric rise has sparked various interpretations, from being a horror spectacle to a symptom of internet-induced brain rot. Regardless, it remains a significant cultural moment, inspiring fan art, merchandise, and fan fiction across platforms like Pinterest, Etsy, and Wattpad.