New Line Cinema, Sanrio and FlynnPictureCo. are teaming up to develop an English-language film centering onHello Kittyfor the first time in her 45-year history.
New Line said the partnership marks the only time Sanrio, the Japanese company behind the toy, has granted film rights to the silentHello Kittyand friends, including the cracked egg character Gudetama, the rabbit character My Melody, and Little Twin Stars, to a major film studio. Tuesday’s announcement did not indicate whether the “Hello Kitty” feature film will be animated, live-action, or a hybrid.
“I am extremely pleased that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut,” Sanrio founder, President and CEO Shintaro Tsuji said. “Hello Kitty has long been a symbol of friendship and we hope this film will only serve to grow that circle of friendship around the world.”