Barbie leaves her dream house to star in movie

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hollywood screens are usually populated by Barbies, but now the real Barbie is on her way to the big screen.

After months of negotiations, Universal has acquired the rights to the iconic Mattel toy to make a live-action feature.

Laurence Mark, whose credits include "Jerry Maguire" and "Julie & Julia," is producing the film.

Barbie, celebrating her 50th anniversary as one of the top toy brands in the world, has never been adapted into a live-action film, though not for Hollywood's lack of trying. Mattel has been extremely protective of the toy, which has generated billions of dollars, wanting nothing to tarnish the polished image. The company did give the go-ahead for a straight-to-home-video animated Barbie movie, which Universal distributes.

It is unclear how the toy will translate to a feature-length movie. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts; is sometimes a high school teen, but at times a pilot, military officer, teacher or astronaut; drives a slew of cars; dates a man named Ken; and has friends straight out of a United Colors of Benetton ad.

Separately, Columbia Pictures has entered into negotiations to pick up He-Man, another Mattel property.

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)