Well, I suppose this was semi-predictable. Based on the recent success of other toy/cartoon franchises it only makes sense that Hollywood would target the female side of this audience. Universal confirms that it has made a deal with Mattel to craete a feature film around the Barbie character. Read more from Variety.com:
Universal Pictures has added Barbie to its star stable.
The studio has made a deal with Mattel to build a live action film around its signature toy line. Studios are placing a premium on building films around well-known concepts. Universal brass feels it has landed the queen of globally branded toy figures.
Laurence Mark will produce.
According to Mattel, the 50-year old Barbie has 99% worldwide brand awareness, is the number one girls property in the toy industry, the top doll property in the U.S. and the number one worldwide property in the traditional toy industry.
“Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands,” said Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger. “So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture, but never before has she been brought to life in a motion picture. We’re grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity.”
Mark said the next step will be to canvas writers and decide a creative take for a family-friendly movie. Mark, who just produced “Julie & Julia” and is currently in production on the untitled James L. Brooks-directed comedy that stars Reese Witherspoon and Jack Nicholson, was one of several A-list producers who met with Mattel and U execs. Mark said he felt fortunate to get the job and said there is no shortage of plot possibilities, since Barbie has held more than 120 jobs over the years.
“Barbie may be the most popular girl in the world, and has always been a wonderfully aspirational figure, so we must do her proud,” Mark said.
The executive producers are Barbie general manager and Mattel senior veep Richard Dickson, and Rob Hudnut, who is vice president of Entertainment for Barbie. The brand managers will clearly be hands on in determining how Mattel’s star asset translates to the screen.
Asked why there had never before been a live action feature (there have been 16 direct-to-video animated titles, selling 75 million units worldwide, per Mattel), Dickson called the U deal the logical next step in expanding the brand’s reach. In the past several years, Barbie has expanded into areas like fashion shows, merchandise, and online ventures that include Twitter, Facebook, even Barbie’s own YouTube channel.
“The brand wasn’t ready for a movie,” Dickson said. “In the last 10 years, Barbie has evolved from a toy into an intellectual property. We’ve already had enormous success in the entertainment industry. Barbie has a proven track record in home entertainment, there have been live stage shows, live symphonies and other non-traditional forms of entertainment. There is a flagship store in Shanghai. There are a lot of ways we are already communicating with Barbie’s audience, and there is a richness to the brand as an entertainment property.”
While Universal and Mark will want to move ahead aggressively, Dickson said no timetable has been set for Barbie’s big screen debut.
“The utmost concern is to make sure every detail is right,” Dickson said. “Rather than a timetable, I’m more interested in making sure we deliver the right product.”
The Barbie deal was made by CAA, which previously placed at Universal and Playtone Mattel’s “Major Matt Mason,” a potential star vehicle for Tom Hanks. The most recent deal is an as-yet-to-be-launched Mattel monster toy line that will be turned into a musical by that reunites “Hairspray” producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who’ll write the original score.
Sister site WatchMojo.com has just published a new series on the G.I. Joe franchise of characters covering everything from the action figures to the cartoon to the brand new Hollywood movie about the hit theaters. Check them out:
Nickelodeon is proud to bring you SpongeBob SquarePants: To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants available on DVD now! Follow SpongeBob on 8 sponge-tacular tales plus an exclusive animation art gallery!
Official Site:
http://spongebob.nick.com
Special Features:
• Animation Art Gallery with storyboard panels and character art
In time for the next big, gigantic Transformers movie to hit screens, sister-site WatchMojo.com has taken at look at the backstory and origins of the Transformers franchise. And it all comes back to the toys… Check out the new series on the Transformers Franchise:
Transformers - The Franchise
Transformers - The Transformer ‘Universe’
This looks pretty much retarded… but also somewhat awesome. Here’s the first of many trailers GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra:
This looks very bizarre… but oddly charming. With voices from Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan and more, its got some talent behind it.
Family Guy jack-of-all-trades Seth McFarlane has new short animated comedy bits online for your enjoyment… they’re kind of like those random side bits and jokes that happen all the time during a Family Guy episode… like, exactly like them. Here are the first two:
In this groundbreaking 3-D animated adventure, three young flies set off on a courageous mission to become the first insects on the moon by hitching a ride on the historic Apollo 11 space flight. Based on the actual transcripts and the original blueprints from NASA, the film’s stunning visuals and meticulous attention to detail introduce a whole new generation to the awe-inspiring achievements of the space program’s most momentous mission.
The year is 1969 and like everyone else in the world, Nat (Trevor Gagnon) and his pals IQ (Philip Daniel Bolden) and Scooter (David Gore) are abuzz over the upcoming launch of the first manned mission to the moon. Inspired by his Grandpa’s (Christopher Lloyd) oft-told tale of hiding aboard Amelia Earhart’s plane during her famed solo cross-Atlantic flight, Nat hatches a secret plan for the three young flies to stow away on the Apollo 11 rocket. The hard part is keeping the plan secret from his mom, Mrs. McFly (Kelly Ripa)!
When a N.A.S.A. Ground Control official catches sight of the three winged stowaways, he instructs the astronauts to store them in a test tube for later study. But after an electrical short causes the ship’s engine to malfunction, the three intrepid insects manage to escape from their glass mini-brig just in time to discover the wiring problem and fix it. After a difficult lunar landing, Nat tags along with Neil Armstrong on his legendary moon walk. Although the flies face a few more close calls, the mission appears to be a success. At least until Grandpa’s old flame Nadia (Nicolette Sheridan) arrives from Russia to warn him that her government, angry over losing the space race, has dispatched fly-spy Yegor (Tim Curry) to Cape Canaveral to sabotage the computer flight plans. With the Apollo hurtling toward Earth, it falls to Nat’s family to save the mission—and the trio of brave flies—from disaster.
Official Movie Website:
http://www.flymetothemoonthemovie.com/
On March 18th, Pucca “Ninjas Love Noodles” and “Kung Fu Kisses” arrive on DVD, courtesy of Shout! Factory. As seen on the Jetix block of shows on Toon Disney, these 2 discs are an unexpected mix of martial arts, Chinese food and comedic quests in the pursuit of love.
Streaming Pucca trailer:
http://www.shoutfactory.com/av/pucca/trailer.asx
Streaming clip from Pucca:
http://www.shoutfactory.com/av/pucca/Pucca_Clip-1-384K_sf.wmv
http://www.shoutfactory.com/av/pucca/Pucca_Clip-1-384K_sf.mov
Pucca is an animated series by South Korean company Vooz Character Systems.It started as a series of online flash episodes called “Funny Love.” Pucca is the young daughter of Chinese noodles house owners and is hopelessly in love with the ninja Garu. He tries desperately to avoid Pucca’s advances and usually does not return her affection. This results in high comedy as Pucca goes to great lengths to steal a kiss from Garu.
It airs daily in the Jetix block of Toon Disney with Digimon, Power Rangers, Lilo & Stitch and more. Pucca is perfect for boys and girls ages 7-13.
Shout! Factory, in conjunction with Jetix, is releasing two single DVDs simultaneously on March 18, each containing 13 episodes.
PUCCA - Ninjas Love Noodles - A wonderfully weird mix of comedy, kung fu combat & kissing. Special features include a collection of Pucca bumpers. Also has limited-edition ninja license inside!
PUCCA - Kung Fu Kisses - An unexpected mix of martial arts, Chinese food and comedic quests in the pursuit of love. Special features include a link to a Pucca video game. Also includes a collectible sticker packed inside!
Preferred retail links:
http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=3944106
http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=3944105
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