Mattel, Warner Bros, Developing Live-Action ‘American Girl’ Specials
Miya Cech will star as American Girl Corrine Tan | Source: Mattel/The Toy Book

American Girl is headed to HBO Max and Cartoon Network.

Mattel inked a deal with Warner Bros. for a pair of live-action American Girl specials that will be available on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. MarVista Entertainment, a Fox Entertainment company, will produce.

The first special, American Girl: Corinne Tan, will debut this December on Cartoon Network and will stream the following day on HBO Max. The 60-minute special is based on the 2022 American Girl of the Year, a 13-year-old ski enthusiast that is learning to navigate life following her parents’ recent divorce. The story of a blended family and a rescue dog-in-training showcases messages of perseverance and self-acceptance.

“Corinne is a strong role model, encouraging viewers to be their true, authentic selves,” says Fred Soulie, senior vice president and general manager, Mattel Television. “We are proud to bring her rich story to life and inspire television audiences of all ages.”

Related: Mattel Crushes Estimates to Deliver Best Q1 Earnings On Record

American Girl: Corinne Tan is directed by Angela Tortu (Fresh Off the Boat), and stars Miya Cech (Are You Afraid of the Dark) as Corinne, Kai Cech (The Longest Sleep) as her sister Gwynn, and Michelle Krusiec (Hawaii Five-O) as their mom, Judy. May Chan (Surfside Girls, The Astronauts, An American Girl Story: Ivy & Julie 1976) wrote the script.

The second special is being developed for release sometime next year.

TV and film have been a big focus for Mattel in recent years. On the film front, Mattel and its partners are developing projects based on American Girl, BarbieBarney, Hot WheelsMagic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the UniversePolly PocketRock ‘Em Sock ‘Em RobotsThomas & FriendsUNOView-Master, and Wishbone. Additionally, Mattel Films is developing the original IP, Christmas Balloon.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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