Barbie set for live action film

Numerous Barbie animation adventures have been released

Children's doll Barbie is the latest toy to land a Hollywood film deal and star in a live action movie.

Universal Pictures has acquired the rights for a movie based on the fashion dolls, which were created in 1959.

The Barbie film will follow other toy-based hits such as the Transformers movies and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

It is not the first time the doll has appeared on screen. Barbie had a cameo in Toy Story 2 and has starred in several animated films.

Laurence Mark, whose credits include Dreamgirls and Jerry Maguire, will produce the project.

Richard Dickson and Rob Hudnut, from Barbie manufacturers Mattel, will be executive producers.

Universal has previously released animated Barbie movies on home video, but this will be Barbie's first live action adventure.