Those fuzzy green sprouts that once turned terracotta figurines into pop culture punchlines are officially Hollywood-bound.
Chia Pets, the long-running novelty brand known for its instant “hair growth,” is being developed into an animated film or series after the media rights were acquired by writer and producer Adam Jay Epstein and producers Ari Daniel Pinchot and Jonathan Rubenstein through their IP holding company, Rakia Media, and production banner, Crystal City Entertainment.
The new creative team told Variety they have big plans for the franchise’s future.
“Chia Pets have been featured on our shelves since childhood and we’re thrilled to help grow the brand to new heights,” Epstein said in a statement. “We can’t wait for audiences to check out the world of Chia in theaters and screens across the world.”
The group is developing “a vision of building an animated feature film or animated series,” with early conversations already underway about potential partners and collaborators to “fully realize the commercial and storytelling potential of the Chia Pet franchise.”
Chia Pets became a breakout sensation in the 1980s, fueled by nonstop TV ads and a catchy, instantly recognizable jingle: “Ch-ch-ch-chia!”
More than 30 million units have been sold, and the brand has continued to evolve by releasing figures tied to contemporary IP and celebrities, such as Rick and Morty and Ice Spice.
Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Chia Pet brand owner Ad Populum, emphasized why the timing feels right.
“For over 40 years, Chia Pet has remained one of the most recognizable brand icons in pop culture history,” he told Variety in a statement. “I’m excited to work with a team that understands both its legacy and its potential for the future.”