Toy company Mattel is set to bring another one of its iconic dolls to the big screen with a live-action film based on its American Girl doll line. Following the massive success of the “Barbie” movie, which grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and became the highest-grossing movie of the year, Mattel hopes to recreate that success with this new project.

Lindsey Anderson Beer, known for her work on "Sierra Burgess is a Loser" and "Pet Sematary: Bloodlines," will be taking on the role of producer and screenplay writer for the American Girl doll movie. In the announcement, Anderson Beer expressed her personal connection to the dolls, stating that she and her sister were avid American Girl fans growing up. She mentioned how the dolls were not just toys to play with but rather representations of real people whose worlds they could imagine themselves in. Anderson Beer emphasized that the historically accurate toys and accessories, along with their immersive backstories, make them uniquely suited for the big screen.

The American Girl dolls, first introduced in 1986, each have their own names and backstories, which were simultaneously released as novels. For example, Kirsten, an immigrant from Sweden, lives in Minnesota in 1854, while Molly's story is set during World War II in Jefferson, Illinois. These two dolls were among the first released in the line, which has since expanded to include contemporary characters and dolls representing diverse backgrounds from different points in U.S. history. Over 36 million American Girl dolls have been sold since their debut.

The American Girl doll movie will be a collaborative effort between Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures, and Temple Hill Entertainment, the production company behind popular films such as “Twilight” and "The Fault in Our Stars." This announcement comes as Mattel Films also reveals plans to develop live-action films based on several other beloved brands, including Barney, Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, and Wishbone.

While this will be the first American Girl doll movie to hit theaters, the brand has previously ventured into the screen realm through made-for-TV and streaming offerings. These adaptations have focused on both the historical characters and the contemporary "Girl of the Year" dolls. Additionally, in 2008, "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" was released as a G-rated theatrical film, based on the Great Depression-era doll.

As Mattel continues to expand its cinematic universe, there have been speculations about the possibility of a Ken movie. Greta Gerwig, director of the “Barbie” movie, recently hinted in an interview with “60 Minutes” that a Ken movie might not be completely out of the question. However, no official announcements have been made regarding this potential project.

With the success of the “Barbie” movie and the extensive lineup of films in development, Mattel Films aims to captivate audiences once again by bringing the beloved American Girl dolls to life on the big screen. The project promises to deliver a story that tackles the issues of girlhood in a real and compelling way, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its release.