Reese Witherspoon To Make Film About Barbie Creator
Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon is developing, and may also star in, a film based on the novel "Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her." Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea's production company Pacific Standard is teaming up with Bold Films, which will reportedly finance the film.
Pacific Standard and Bold Films optioned the movie rights to the Robin Gerber book, which was first published in 2010. The book focuses on Ruth Handler, who was inspired to create the world-famous doll after observing her daughter making paper dolls and pretending that they were adults. This gave Handler the idea to produce a three-dimensional doll made of plastic, with an adult body and clothing made out of fabric. The first Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.
Bold Films' chairman Michael Litvak will co-produce the film with Witherspoon and Papandrea. Bold Films' CEO Gary Michael Walters, Jon Oakes, Grace Ledding, and Gerber will executive produce, with Oakes overseeing the project for Bold Films. Papandrea will oversee the film under the Pacific Standard banner.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Ruth Handler's inspiring true story reveals the triumphs and struggles of the genius businesswoman behind the creation of Barbie, the most iconic doll in the world," said Litvak.
Since 2012, Witherspoon and Papandrea's Pacific Standard has been actively acquiring the rights to films driven by strong female protagonists.
The film may be another starring vehicle for the 39-year-old "Legally Blonde" actress, who also recently starred in and produced the films "Wild" and "Hot Pursuit."
Karen Barna, Bold Films' Senior Vice President for Business and Legal Affairs, handled the negotiations on behalf of Bold Films. Barry Littman and Gretchen Rush of Hansen, Jacobson handled the negotiations for Witherspoon. Steve Hutensky handled the negotiations on behalf of Papandrea.
