LOS ANGELES, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Two leadings brands in the world of children's entertainment, Walden Media and American Girl, are teaming up in a venture that will bring the well-loved American Girl® characters to theaters for the first time, it was announced today. The first film of the partnership, based on the popular character Kit Kittredge, will be produced by Goldsmith- Thomas Productions in association with Red Om Films, the same team that produced the previous made-for-television movies for American Girl.

 

For 20 years, American Girl books and characters have inspired an entire generation of girls with timeless stories of friendship, courage, and hope, bringing history alive for children. With more than 12 million dolls and 111 million books sold, American Girl is one of the nation's most popular doll brands and top children's publishers.

 

Walden Media is coming off its most successful year to date, with the first film of the Chronicles of Narnia franchise, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (produced with Walt Disney Pictures), enjoying enormous theatrical and home-video success. Grossing more than $700 million in international box office, the film is currently the best- selling DVD title of 2006.

"American Girl represents the ideal partner for us, as we both seek to inspire young minds and excite children about learning through entertainment," said Walden Media CEO Cary Granat. "We are thrilled to be working with a company that is as committed to fostering extensive outreach programs as we are, and we look forward to what will be a wonderful collaborative partnership. We are tremendously grateful to Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas for bringing us this project, and for the amazing opportunity to work with a business leader such as Ellen Brothers."

 

Ellen L. Brothers, president of American Girl, added, "We found a terrific partner to bring Kit's stories to life. Walden Media's passion for creating innovative and educational family films that feature affirming messages perfectly complements our mission at American Girl. We're delighted to work with them and our friends at Goldsmith-Thomas Productions and Red Om Films in providing our fans with a fabulous new way to experience a character they know and love."

Following a successful run of made-for-television films, the first American Girl character to arrive on the big screen will be Kit Kittredge, the clever and resourceful girl growing up during America's Great Depression. Introduced in 2000 as the seventh historical character, Kit experiences the Great Depression first-hand after her father loses his car dealership. Through courage and determination, Kit finds a way to make a difference in her community and, along the way, learns valuable lessons about responsibility and compassion.

 

"When Julia Roberts, Lisa Gillan, and I pursued the rights to the American Girl franchise six years ago, we knew that the American Girls characters and their compelling stories would translate beautifully to film," said Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas of Goldsmith-Thomas Productions. "We're thrilled to be working with Walden Media, a visionary company whose people are as enthusiastic as we are in bringing these rich characters to life through live- action feature films."

 

Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, which starred Mia Farrow and AnnaSophia Robb (also starring in Walden Media's Because of Winn-Dixie and the upcoming Bridge to Terabithia), premiered on The WB television network in November 2004 to solid ratings. It was followed up the next year by Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, which starred Shailene Woodley and Academy Award® winner Marcia Gay Harden. This year's American Girl made-for- television film, Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, will air on Disney Channel this fall. 

 

The Kit feature film will be produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Marisa Yeres, and Stephanie Langhoff through Goldsmith-Thomas Productions in association with Red Om Films' Julia Roberts and Lisa Gillan. Overseeing the project on behalf of Walden Media are executive vice president Alex Schwartz and creative executive Jared Mass.