HBO and American Girl Enter Into Overall Deal
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HBO and American Girl, one of the nation's top direct marketers, children's publishers and experiential retailers, have entered into an overall relationship to develop a variety of multi-platform ventures including theatrical films, series, specials and documentaries, it was announced today by HBO Films president Colin Callender and American Girl president Ellen L. Brothers.
The first project to be greenlit by HBO Films will be an American Girl live-action theatrical film based on the popular historical character Kit Kittredge, to be produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Marisa Yeres, from Goldsmith-Thomas Productions, in association with Julia Roberts and Lisa Gillan from Red Om Films, for release by Picturehouse. Written by Ann Peacock (HBO's A Lesson Before Dying, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), the film will tell the story of the clever and resourceful Kit Kittredge, a nine-year-old girl growing up in 1934 during America's Great Depression. HBO Films senior vice president Julie Goldstein is the executive in charge of the production, which is scheduled to go into production this summer.
"We are thrilled to be working with Ellen Brothers and the team at American Girl, whose brand has become an extraordinary phenomenon in recent years," said Callender. "This is an unprecedented opportunity to align the forces of both the HBO and American Girl brands in a groundbreaking collaboration that will enable us to take advantage of the rapidly expanding, multi-platform, multi-faceted promotional opportunities spanning all areas of distribution."
"We are delighted to join forces with such talented partners to bring our much-loved American Girl characters to life," said Brothers. "Given the highly acclaimed and renowned work of HBO Films, Picturehouse, Goldsmith-Thomas Productions, and Red Om Films, there is no doubt we will be creating fabulous entertainment that will inspire and excite our legions of American Girl fans. We look forward to a successful partnership with all involved."
"American Girl, HBO Films and Picturehouse have set a standard for quality in their respective areas that remains unmatched," said Goldsmith-Thomas. "We are honored and excited to continue our successful partnership with American Girl, and look forward to collaborating with the wonderful team at HBO Films and Picturehouse in exploring opportunities for development of multi-platform content."
"Kit Kittredge is a wonderful character - a spirited young girl living in difficult times - and her stories teach the importance of giving to those who are less fortunate," said Bob Berney, president, Picturehouse. "We look forward to collaborating with all of our magnificent partners on this project - each giants in their own field - to bring this inspirational girl into movie theaters around the country."
Introduced in 2000 as the seventh American Girl historical character, Kit Kittredge will be the first one to have her story adapted for a theatrical film. Working in partnership with American Girl for the last five years, Goldsmith-Thomas Productions and Red Om Films have received nominations and awards for their telefilms Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, and Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front.
ICM brokered the deal on behalf of American Girl.
HBO and American Girl, one of the nation's top direct marketers, children's publishers and experiential retailers, have entered into an overall relationship to develop a variety of multi-platform ventures including theatrical films, series, specials and documentaries, it was announced today by HBO Films president Colin Callender and American Girl president Ellen L. Brothers.
The first project to be greenlit by HBO Films will be an American Girl live-action theatrical film based on the popular historical character Kit Kittredge, to be produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Marisa Yeres, from Goldsmith-Thomas Productions, in association with Julia Roberts and Lisa Gillan from Red Om Films, for release by Picturehouse. Written by Ann Peacock (HBO's A Lesson Before Dying, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), the film will tell the story of the clever and resourceful Kit Kittredge, a nine-year-old girl growing up in 1934 during America's Great Depression. HBO Films senior vice president Julie Goldstein is the executive in charge of the production, which is scheduled to go into production this summer.
"We are thrilled to be working with Ellen Brothers and the team at American Girl, whose brand has become an extraordinary phenomenon in recent years," said Callender. "This is an unprecedented opportunity to align the forces of both the HBO and American Girl brands in a groundbreaking collaboration that will enable us to take advantage of the rapidly expanding, multi-platform, multi-faceted promotional opportunities spanning all areas of distribution."
"We are delighted to join forces with such talented partners to bring our much-loved American Girl characters to life," said Brothers. "Given the highly acclaimed and renowned work of HBO Films, Picturehouse, Goldsmith-Thomas Productions, and Red Om Films, there is no doubt we will be creating fabulous entertainment that will inspire and excite our legions of American Girl fans. We look forward to a successful partnership with all involved."
"American Girl, HBO Films and Picturehouse have set a standard for quality in their respective areas that remains unmatched," said Goldsmith-Thomas. "We are honored and excited to continue our successful partnership with American Girl, and look forward to collaborating with the wonderful team at HBO Films and Picturehouse in exploring opportunities for development of multi-platform content."
"Kit Kittredge is a wonderful character - a spirited young girl living in difficult times - and her stories teach the importance of giving to those who are less fortunate," said Bob Berney, president, Picturehouse. "We look forward to collaborating with all of our magnificent partners on this project - each giants in their own field - to bring this inspirational girl into movie theaters around the country."
Introduced in 2000 as the seventh American Girl historical character, Kit Kittredge will be the first one to have her story adapted for a theatrical film. Working in partnership with American Girl for the last five years, Goldsmith-Thomas Productions and Red Om Films have received nominations and awards for their telefilms Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, and Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front.
ICM brokered the deal on behalf of American Girl.
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