Bob the Builder, at the center of an unlikely culture war, hired as social justice warrior in J.Lo’s new animated film

They can change it, yes they can.

British TV icon Bob the Builder is at the center of an unlikely culture war after being transformed into a social justice warrior in a new big-budget animated film from Jennifer Lopez.

The move by toy giant Mattel, which owns the rights to the character and is looking to capitalize on the success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie doll, will feature a character called Roberto and will see the action take place on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. It’s going to happen.

However, the decision to reinvent the popular children’s TV show caused an uproar.

“The woke mob got Bob the Builder,” one fan wrote on Site X, formerly known as Twitter.

Another fan complained: “What business does a British construction worker have in Puerto Rico?” This is not my builder Bob.

Frank Furedi, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Kent, also slammed efforts to cast Bob as a social justice warrior.

He said: “According to the film’s producers, Bob the Builder is currently ‘carrying an important message’ and that Bob will become a symbol of empowerment. Bob the Builder is more than just a fun story for kids; it’s now a vehicle for identity politics. ”

Last night, Keith Chapman, who created the character before selling the rights, welcomed the film and the casting, but said he wanted the character to be called Bob in the film.

“I don’t want to see Roberto in the title of a movie,” said Chapman, who lives in Monaco. If I had a chance to speak to them, which I will probably do over the next few years as this develops, I would raise the concerns of everyone in the UK.

“You should listen to the troops who brought Bob back. A lot of these new parents grew up with Bob the builder. To them, it’s almost like leaving Bob alone. Bob. Please do not interfere.

In a statement announcing the new film, the producers said: “As Roberto ‘Bob’ travels to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico on a large-scale construction job, he takes on issues affecting the island and explores what it takes to build. We will dig deeper into what this means.”

Anthony Ramos is an American actor who is also of Puerto Rican descent. He will be voicing a character in the new movie.

The star said he was proud that the film “adds elements of life inspired by myself.”

Mattel, which is co-producing the film with the production company owned by singer Jennifer Lopez, hopes the new film will emulate the success of its Barbie film, which grossed more than $1 billion at the international box office.

Neil Morrissey, who voiced Bob in the TV series, was unavailable for comment last night.