Universal Acquires Rights to Make 'Barbie' Movie

The casting call will be very specific: "Seeking young blonde woman, 6' tall, measurements 39-19-33. Must wear high heels and be able to drive sports car. Math skills not necessary."

Variety reports that Universal, emerging triumphant after months of negotiations, has wrangled the rights to make a live-action Barbie movie. Mattel has a long history of holding a very tight rein on the image of their premier money-earner, so you can bet that there's enough clauses and caveats attached to keep a dozen lawyers in custom suits.

"Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands," Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger told Variety, and Mattel claims the doll has a staggering 99 percent brand awareness. The audience for a Barbie movie is as established as that of, well, the enormously successful Disney princesses. As Mattel licenses the rights from Disney to make the princess dolls and accessories, it can't have escaped their notice that there's big bucks to be earned by tying products to movies that little girls love.







The question, however, is what direction the script will take. Julie & Julia producer Laurence Mark is attached to the project, and said that "Barbie may be the most popular girl in the world, and has always been a wonderfully aspirational figure, so we must do her proud." But considering that Barbie's had over 70 jobs (including teacher, doctor, astronaut, cowgirl, veterinarian, Olympic gymnast, NASCAR official, and American Idol contestant) what she'll do in the movie is anyone's guess.

My prediction: The script will have Barbie toiling as an executive assistant in some supposedly glamorous profession that doesn't involve much work (in movies, that's usually publishing), but she'll yearn to move up the ladder. Her competition for the promotion will be square-jawed Ken (Ryan Reynolds), and they hate each other! But they'll be thrown together in wacky situations that create opportunities for lots of costume changes (horseback riding! A red carpet premiere! Tennis lessons!) and eventually she'll discover he's her true love! Then they'll move into a three-story Dream House and live happily ever after!

Aspiring actresses are calling their agents while Googling "rib removal procedure" at this very moment.