Bob the Builder is being reimagined as “Roberto” in a Barbie-style Hollywood film set in Puerto Rico and produced by Jennifer Lopez.

The beloved handyman has been a fixture of children’s TV since he first appeared on CBBC in 1999.

Now the construction worker, who is known for his catchphrase “Can we fix it? Yes we can!” is heading to Hollywood, for a new outing.

Hot off the success of Barbie, toy company Mattel is planning to release a cinematic adaptation based on the children’s character.

In the film Roberto – “Bob” – will travel to Puerto Rico for a major construction job, where he “takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build,” according to the company.

“Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colourful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people,” Mattel added.

The animated film boasts Ms Lopez as executive producer through her company Nuyorican Productions, while Anthony Ramos, the Hamilton actor, will voice Bob’s character.

Mr Ramos, who has Puerto Rican heritage, said he plans to bring “elements of life that are inspired by my own” into the film.

“For years, Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world,” he said. 

“A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!”

Felipe Vargas, the Colombian director, is writing the screenplay, while the director has not yet been announced.

“Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognise, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films.

Bob the Builder launched on CBBC and ran for 12 series, with Neil Morrissey, the Men Behaving Badly star, voicing the construction worker.

The characters were dubbed with American voices when it was shown in the US.

Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, and has earned eight Oscar nominations, five Bafta nominations and two Golden Globe wins.