Dreamworks signs up Trolls dolls for film and TV

Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Animation has acquired the intellectual property for Troll dolls, with plans for a film and a TV series.

The faddish dolls with the weird faces and shock of coloured hair, originally Danish in origin, first swept the world in the 1960s, and were then revived again for a new generation in the 1990s.

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They were created by a Danish woodcutter and fisherman called Thomas Dan, who carved the first doll for his daughter, based on tales from Scandinavian legend.

After first taking hold in their plastic form in the US in the 60s, they eventually gained popularity with video games and a TV show up to the 90s, but a reinvention in 2005 by a Danish company, which branded them Trollz, did not take.

It's hoped that Dreamworks Animation, the studio behind such smash hits as 'Kung-Fu Panda', 'Shrek' and 'Madagascar', might have a bit more luck.

The concept will be spearheaded for Dreamworks Animation by Shawn Dennis, the marketing guru behind the massively successful American Girl doll range.

“We have big plans for this franchise and Shawn Dennis is uniquely suited to lead this charge,” said Dreamworks Animation boss Ann Daly.

“She helped grow the American Girl brand into a household name and by bringing this expertise to Trolls she will introduce these characters to legions of new fans around the world.”

The news doubtless ushers in feverish excitement for the owners of the IP for other 80s toys including Teddy Ruxspin, Care Bears, the Koosh Ball, Gloworms, Popples and Transformers...

Oh.