Walden Media and American Girl Join Forces in Feature-Film Deal

Walden Media and American Girl Join Forces in Feature-Film Deal

First Joint Project to Be American Girl Feature Film Debut; Goldsmith-Thomas Productions and Red Om Films to Produce

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(R) 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.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060725/NYTU164 )

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(R) 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.

About Walden Media

Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films's Dimension label, and education reformer Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original works and adaptations of acclaimed children's literature, Walden Media projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental programs for teachers, librarians, and parents.

Walden Media produced (in association with Walt Disney Pictures) the Academy Award(R)-winning film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Upcoming Walden Media releases include How to Eat Fried Worms (with New Line Cinema), Charlotte's Web (with Paramount and Nick Movies), Bridge to Terabithia (with Disney), The Water Horse (with Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, and Beacon Pictures), Journey 3D (with New Line), Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (coproduced with Mandate Pictures), and the second film in the Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (with Disney).

Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group (AFG).

About American Girl

American Girl, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT)(NYSE:www.mattel.com), the world's leading toy company. Since American Girl's inception in 1986, the company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to create, and to imagine through a wide range of engaging and insightful books, age-appropriate and educational products, and unforgettable experiences. In meeting its mission with a vigilant eye toward quality and service, American Girl has earned the loyal following of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.

American Girl dolls, books and related products are sold exclusively through the company's consumer catalogue, online at www.americangirl.com, and at American Girl Place(R), its proprietary retail stores in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. To learn more about American Girl or to request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit www.americangirl.com.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060725/NYTU164
Source: Walden Media

CONTACT: Ryan Chingcuangco of Walden Media, +1-310-887-1044; or Stephanie
Spanos of American Girl, +1-608-836-4848, ext. 4496

Web site: http://www.americangirl.com/

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