Sindy, the Singing Movie Star? A2R2 Productions Acquires Film Rights to Beloved British Doll

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Sindy, the well-known British doll first introduced by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in the 1960s as a competitor to the famous Barbie from America, could potentially make her debut on the movie screen with her songs.

Last autumn, A2R2 Productions – a company founded by actor Archie Renaux and manager-producer Arjun Rose – has secured the rights to adapt Sindy. They’ve announced their intention to create a vibrant, uplifting live-action musical, blending emotion, comedy, and stylish fashion, according to their confirmation to The Hollywood Reporter.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting project! Rose, known for her music series Laughing Boy with stars like Ed Sheeran and Jessie J, is teaming up with Renaux in production. Recently, you might have caught her on the silver screen in ‘Alien: Romulus’. Joining us is Daniel Hulme, a big name in tech and AI, currently serving as the chief AI officer at WPP, who’s taking on the role of executive producer. Can’t wait to see what we’ll create together!

The project with A2R2 is still in its infancy as they’re actively seeking a visionary female director to animate Sindy’s narrative. This story, which the company considers a witty, bold, and sincerely emotional modern fairy tale, is intended for our contemporary era. It will delve into themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the importance of being recognized. The Sindy adaptation represents A2R2’s second venture to gain momentum, following their debut film titled On, which has been fully financed and is scheduled to commence production later this year.

Launched in 1963, the fashion doll quickly became a top-seller in the UK. Sindy’s history took on additional intrigue when efforts were made to expand her market reach by introducing her to the U.S. in the 70s. Hasbro eventually acquired the rights to Sindy, but a makeover didn’t boost sales. It’s reported online that Mattel, who owns Barbie, filed a lawsuit claiming copyright violation.

Despite not surpassing Barbie’s fame, Sindy underwent several transformations. Pedigree once again took control of Sindy, and she was reintroduced in January 1999. For her 40th and 60th birthdays, she received anniversary makeovers. According to numerous sources, over the course of its lifespan, more than 150 million Sindy dolls have been sold.

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Hollywood has a rich history of adapting dolls and other toy-themed stories, like American Girls, Bratz, Transformers, and The Lego Movie series, just to name a few examples. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie stands out as a notable entry, with the filmmaker successfully tapping into the cultural mood and creating a groundbreaking production that will hit theaters in 2023, starring and produced by Margot Robbie. Other upcoming doll-inspired projects include Mattel’s Polly Pocket adaptation, which Lena Dunham had been overseeing until recently. However, Dunham has now revealed her decision to step away from this project, highlighting the complexities involved in bringing such stories to life on screen.

Greta’s unique touch on Barbie, transforming an intellectual property into a deeply personal and specific work, was something I found incredibly challenging. I didn’t believe I was the right fit for the task,” she expressed during a podcast while advertising her Netflix show Too Much. “Greta executed it so flawlessly that it sets a high standard, and since we are friends and have known each other for 20 years, I don’t need the unnecessary comparisons. That film truly revolutionized the world.

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2025-07-16 22:55