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Barbie To Become Hollywood Star With New Film

Barbie To Become Hollywood Star With New Film

Barbie and her Malibu mansion are coming to the big screen in a new live-action comedy.

Sony Pictures and Mattel are to planning to start making the film about the iconic doll by the end of the year.

Tim Kilpin, executive vice president of global brands for Mattel, described the latest plans as a contemporary comedy that brings her playful personality to life, according to Variety.

It is not known what role the plastic star will take on in the movie. She has been a princess, astronaut, police officer and pilot, among many others in the 55 years since her introduction to the world.

The film will be written by Jenny Bicks (What a Girl Wants) and produced by husband and wife team Walter F Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (Men in Black 3).

"We've always thought that the Barbie story had great potential, but a universe of possibilities opened up when Jenny, Walter and Laurie brought us their unexpected, clever, and truly funny concept," said Hannah Minghella, Columbia Pictures' president of production in a statement.

"It captures everything that has made Barbie a classic for generation after generation while also standing on its own, establishing Barbie as a truly original screen character."

It is the second collaboration for Sony and Mattel. The companies are currently developing the film adaptation of Masters of the Universe, based on Mattel action figures.

There have been many straight-to-DVD films made starring Barbie and Universal's Barbie: The Pearl Princess was released just last month.

While Barbie is Mattel's biggest-selling toy, her popularity has been waning and the company has had to diversify.

A film based around the world's largest toy-maker, Lego, was a huge box office hit, taking over $400m worldwide by the end of March.