For the first time in her 45-year history, Hello Kitty is going to star in an English-language film created by New Line Cinema, Sanrio, and FlynnPictureCo. The partnership marks the only time Sanrio, the Japanese company that owns Hello Kitty, has granted film rights to a major studio for Hello Kitty and and her crew of friends, who include Gudetama, a cracked egg, My Melody, a rabbit and and Little Twin Stars.
“I am extremely pleased that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut,” said Sanrio founder, president and CEO Shintaro Tsuji. “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.”
Hello Kitty made her first appearance in 1974 and had her merchandise coming out party a year later on a coin person. A perpetual third-grader who lives in London, Hello Kitty can be found in 130 countries on more than 50,000 different branded products each year. While she’s often view as a kitten, Hello Kitty whose real name is Kitty White, in reality is a hybrid of a human and Japanese Bobtail cat.
Tuesday’s announcement did not indicate whether the Hello Kitty feature film will be animated, live-action, or a hybrid. The film’s plot is not yet decided. “A search for writers and creative talent will commence immediately,” Sanrio said in a statement.
