THE WB NETWORK, AMERICAN GIRL, INC., REVOLUTION STUDIOS AND WARNER BROS. TELEVISION TEAM UP FOR THE SECOND ORIGINAL MADE-FOR-TELEVISION MOVIE BASED ON THE POPULAR AMERICAN GIRL CHARACTERS
Burbank, CA May 10, 2005
Production will begin soon on The WB's second original live-action movie based on a character from American Girl's highly successful historical doll and book collection. Set in the days leading up to the American Revolution, FELICITY: AN AMERICAN GIRL ADVENTURE is based on Felicity Merriman, the fourth doll in the highly successful line of dolls and books. The announcement was made today by David Janollari, President, Entertainment, The WB.
�Last year, �Samantha: An American Girl Holiday� was a huge hit for us with audiences, critics and advertisers,� said Mr. Janollari. �We are hopeful that the loyal following these characters have inspired will continue to make the American Girl films perennial family favorites and a successful franchise for us for many seasons to come.�
The movie, set to air in the fall of 2005, will be produced by Revolution Studios, Red Om Films and American Girl, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.
�Given our past successful collaboration, we're pleased to be working with the same high-caliber team to bring Felicity's story to life,� said Ellen Brothers, president of American Girl and executive vice president of Mattel. �We look forward to producing the Felicity movie with The WB, as we know it will engage and delight our legions of fans as much as the first.�
�We're thrilled to be embarking on our second movie with The WB,� said executive producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas. �Felicity's story is about courage, loyalty and independence, and we think families will really enjoy watching it together. Shailene Woodley as Felicity is a real find, and we are also extremely fortunate to have stars of such caliber as Marcia Gay Harden, John Schneider and Kevin Zegers heading up the cast.�
The film, set in 1775, follows the adventures of 9-year-old Felicity Merriman (Shailene Woodley, �Jack & Bobby�), who lives with her patriot family in Colonial Williamsburg. Felicity's father (John Schneider, �Smallville, � �Dukes of Hazzard�) owns and operates the general store, while her mother (Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden (�Pollock, � �Mystic River, � �Mona Lisa Smile�) cares for the family, which includes 6-year-old Nan (Eulala Scheel, real-life daughter of Marcia Gay Harden). Mr. Merriman's apprentice, Ben (Kevin Zegers, �Dawn of the Dead�), lives with the family and dreams of the day that the Colonies will declare their independence. When Felicity learns that a beautiful, spirited horse is being abused by its cruel owner, she befriends the animal and helps it escape. Strong willed and determined, Felicity struggles through lessons on being a �gentlewoman� and befriends Elizabeth (newcomer Katie Henney), a young girl from a loyalist family. As a year passes and Christmas nears, Felicity proves her loyalty and courage through adventures revolving around family, friends and the coming revolution.
The Samantha Parkington character was the subject of The WB's first-ever original made-for-television movie, SAMANTHA: AN AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY, which aired on November 23, 2004. The film attracted 6 million viewers, making it The WB's most-watched Tuesday since May 2003 and the network's second-highest-rated movie ever.
From Revolution Studios, Red Om Films, and American Girl, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. with executive producers Nancy Bennett, Lisa Gillan, Deborah Schindler (�Maid in Manhattan, � �Mona Lisa Smile, � �Little Black Book�), Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (�Maid in Manhattan, � �Mona Lisa Smile, � �Little Black Book�) and Julia Roberts (�Stepmom�), writer Anna Sandor (�My Louisiana Sky�) and director Nadia Tass (�Samantha: An American Girl Holiday�).
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