One of the best-selling toy lines in the world is now one of the top animated home video franchises ever and Lions Gate Home Entertainment will distribute the latest title under its Family Home Entertainment (FHE) division. As with previous Barbie titles, toy maker Mattel has awarded the company North American home entertainment rights to the feature Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper.
Now in production, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper is expected to be released on VHS and DVD in September 2004. It joins FHE’s catalog of hits which includes the highly successful predecessors Barbie in The Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel and Barbie of Swan Lake, as well as the popular Veggie Tales series. Mattel will launch a new toy line in conjunction with the release.
Animated by Canada’s Mainframe, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper employs motion-capture technology to put a modern twist on the classic story as it teaches girls about hope, self-discovery and the strength of love. Barbie plays dual roles as the fair-haired Princess Anneliese and the raven-haired Erika. Each yearning for a different life, they find friendship and adventure when their paths cross.
The film will be distributed on home video in the U.K. by Entertainment Rights Plc., which has also secured international television rights, excluding the U.S.
