With Greta Gerwig’sBarbieearning more than $1.4 billion dollarsat the box office, it’s no surprise thatMattelis looking to bring more of its doll lines to the big screen. As perThe Hollywood Reporter, this time it’s ‘American Girl’ dolls that are getting a live-action feature film adaptation in conjunction with Paramount Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment, and screenwriter Lindsey Anderson Beer, who is fresh off of writing and directingPet Semetary: Bloodlines.
Created in the late 1980s, the 18-inch dolls were a staple in millennial households, depicting girls who represent different eras of American history. The first three dolls included Kirsten, Molly, and Samantha, who came from the pioneer era, the World War II era, and Edwardian times respectively. Lindsey Anderson Beer, who is also set to pen the screenplay forM.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, a popular toy line owned by Hasbro, mentioned in a press release how the ‘American Girl’ dolls helped shaped her childhood.
“Growing up, my sister and IwereAmerican Girl girls. I had Kirsten, and she had Molly. They didn’t feel like dolls to play with, rather real people whose worlds we got to imagine ourselves in. They are historically accurate toys and accessories that feature elaborate and immersive backstories uniquely suited to bring to screen. I am so excited to tell a story that tackles the issues of girlhood in a real and compelling way, and proud to partner with Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill to create the American Girl movie I have wanted to see since childhood.”
Temple Hill Entertainment, who will produce the ‘American Girl’ dolls movie, is no stranger to success. Their previous hits includetheTwilightfranchise,The Maze Runnerfranchise, and stand-alone films such asThe Fault in Our Stars, the horror movieSmile, andThe Hate U Give, based on the young adult novel by Angie Thomas.
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‘American Girl’ Dolls Have a Long History With Hollywood
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
This won’t be the first time in recent memory that a feature-length filmbased on the’American Girl’dollshas been attempted. Back in 2019, Mattel partnered with MGM in an effort to bring the dolls to the big screen, but plans for the project eventually fizzled. While the ‘American Girl’ dolls have been seen before in live-action direct-to-DVD films and original streaming offerings as far back as 2004, there has only been one film to have a theatrical release, that being 2008’sKit Kittredge: An American Girl, which starred Abigail Breslin.
With the recent success ofBarbie, Mattel is looking to write a new chapter in the ‘American Girl’ series, and continue the momentum caused by Greta Gerwig’s hit film. In a statement from Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films, he said:
“American Girl is a beloved franchise, rich in history and storytelling with millions of devoted fans. Through dolls, books, live experiences, and television movies, the brand has captured hearts for decades. We are excited to continue Mattel Films’ momentum and collaborate with Paramount Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment and Lindsey Anderson Beer to bring American Girl to life on the big screen.”
The ‘American Girl’ doll movie will joina long list of Mattel projectsalready in development, including films based on other popular toys from the company, such as ‘Hot Wheels,’ ‘Polly Pocket,’ and ‘Magic 8-Ball,’ to name a few. There’s no word yet as to who will direct or star in the ‘American Girl’ doll movie, or when it will go into production, but one would think that withBarbiepenetrating pop culture the way it has, Mattel, Paramount, and Temple Hill will want to get started sooner rather than later.
