A live-action film inspired by the American Girl doll line is in the works.
American Girl will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures, and Temple Hill Entertainment. Lindsey Anderson Beer (Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Sierra Burgess is a Loser) will write the screenplay and produce.
“American Girl is a beloved franchise, rich in history and storytelling with millions of devoted fans,” says Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films. “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.”
Including American Girl, Mattel Films has 14 live-action motion pictures in active development. These include Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Matchbox, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Barney, Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View-Master, and Wishbone. Mattel Films is also developing Christmas Balloon, a holiday family drama based on a new intellectual property. These movies all come after Mattel Films’ first theatrical release, Barbie, which was the highest-grossing film of the year.
American Girl was founded in 1986 by Pleasant T. Rowland, a teacher-turned-entrepreneur who set out to celebrate girlhood with beautiful dolls and adventurous books that would provide both education and entertainment to kids. Today, the brand continues to focus on creating authentic, culturally relevant characters and stories that help girls grow up with courage, confidence, and strength of character.
“Growing up, my sister and I were American Girl girls,” says Anderson Beer. “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.”
American Girl is overseen by Kevin McKeon and Ivan Sanchez at Mattel, Vanessa Joyce at Paramount Pictures, and Isaac Klausner, Laura Quicksilver, and Annika Patton at Temple Hill.
