From Legally Blonde to pretty-in-pink, Reese Witherspoon is making her rounds in films starring strong, female leads. Now the actress has reportedly bought the movie rights to the 2010 story about Barbie’s origins.
The book, Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her, chronicles Barbie’s creator, Ruth Handler, who was inspired by her daughter to make a doll that resembled an adult woman instead of a young girl. Lucky for Handler and her idea, her husband worked at Mattel.
Witherspoon’s blonde hair and bubbly personality already make her an ideal candidate for a Barbie film. According to The Tracking Board, Sony is rumored to be considering her for playing the character in its own separate feature to be written by Diablo Cody, who won an Academy Award for the screenplay to Juno. It’s unclear what Witherspoon’s role would be in her own production company’s film.
Pacific Standard, the actress’ production studio, has earned some serious street cred. Two of its films, Gone Girl and Wild, nabbed best actress nominations at the Academy Awards, and sales of Barbie dolls and accessories could use that kind of lift. According to Mattel, they’re down 15% from last year to $578 million. Mattel’s newest (MAT) hits are the Frozen-themed dolls. But according to the National Retail Federation, Barbie is on top of the girl holiday toy list this year, so she still has a place in young girls’ hearts.
