HBO Max and Cartoon Network Greenlight Two Original Specials Based on the Beloved Mattel American Girl Franchise

The First, American Girl: Corinne Tan, Features Real-Life Sisters, Miya and Kai Cech

May 11, 2022 - Burbank, CA - HBO Max and Cartoon Network announced today two live-action originals to appeal to and invite more girls to the platforms. Greenlights include two original 60-minute specials based on the beloved Mattel American Girl franchise. The first is American Girl: Corinne Tan (working title), inspired by the doll brand's 2022 Girl of the Year and the first of Chinese descent. American Girl: Corinne Tan is produced by Mattel Television and MarVista Entertainment and is scheduled to premiere this December in the U.S. on Cartoon Network, available on HBO Max the following day. A second American Girl special, still to be announced, will follow next year.

American Girl: Corinne Tan stars Miya Cech (Corinne), from the upcoming indie film, Marvelous and the Black Hole, and her sister Kai Cech (Gwynn), in a story about sisterhood, perseverance, and self-acceptance as they adjust to life as part of a blended family after their parents' divorce. Corinne finds new purpose along the way when she rescues a dog that, in a way, rescues her right back.

"The live-action specials announced today capture the sweetness, the funniness, the chaos, and the messy imperfect genius of growing up and becoming who you are. Let's face it, most of us can still relate to all those feelings which makes this content so resonant," said Amy Friedman, head of kids & family programming, Warner Bros. "These projects are a reflection of our commitment to bring in more girls and teens to HBO Max and Cartoon Network with authentic, fun, courageous, and emotional stories that speak to kids lives now."

In American Girl: Corinne Tan, 13-year-old ski enthusiast Corrine Tan is still navigating her parents' recent divorce while her 10-year-old sister Gwynn, dad, mom, and stepdad Arne have adjusted to their new roles in this blended family. She discovers a new purpose when she challenges herself to train a rambunctious puppy named Flurry to become a search-and-rescue dog. American Girl: Corinne Tan tells the inspirational story of a proud big sister as she comes to understand sisterhood, perseverance, and self-acceptance. This 60-minute special is directed by Angela Tortu (Fresh Off the Boat), and stars Miya Cech (Marvelous and the Black Hole, The Astronauts, Are You Afraid of the Dark) as Corinne, Kai Cech (The Longest Sleep) as her sister Gwynn, and Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood, Hawaii Five-O) as their mom, Judy.

Executive Producers for American Girl: Corinne Tan include Fred Soulie and Phil Breman for Mattel Television. Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, and Fernando Szew serve as Executive Producers for MarVista Entertainment with Adam Shepard as Co-Executive Producer.

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children's and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie(R), Hot Wheels(R), Fisher-Price(R), American Girl(R), Thomas & Friends(R), UNO(R), and MEGA(R), as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world's leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.

About American Girl

American Girl is a premium brand for girls and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest portfolios of children's and family entertainment franchises in the world. Headquartered in Middleton, WI, American Girl offers an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences that nourish a girl's spirit and help develop her strength of character. Best-selling lines include Truly Me(TM), Girl of the Year(TM), Bitty Baby(R), WellieWishers(TM), Create Your Own(TM), and American Girl's classic historical characters. The company sells products through its award-winning catalogue, on americangirl.com, in its proprietary U.S. experiential retail stores, as well as at specialty retailers nationwide. By inspiring girls to be their best, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions and the praise and trust of parents and educators. Connect with American Girl: Facebook: @americangirl Twitter: @American_Girl Instagram: @americangirlbrand Pinterest: agofficial YouTube: American Girl

About MarVista Entertainment

MarVista Entertainment, a FOX Entertainment Company, is a leading global entertainment studio, producing and distributing a variety of content across the world. With a library showcasing nearly 2,500 hours of content, and with an average of 80 new movies per year added to the company's development and distribution pipeline, MarVista is one of the largest suppliers of movies to the worldwide marketplace. MarVista has an expansive distribution footprint spanning more than 125 global territories and is a pre-eminent programming partner to major streamers and media companies, including Netflix, Hulu, Discovery+, Tubi, Disney Networks, Amazon Prime, WarnerMedia, Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, NBC Universal, OWN, Nickelodeon, BET and other Viacom Networks, as well as key international platforms.

MarVista's recent projects include the Amazon Prime Video release 'Christmas Is Canceled' starring Hayley Orrantia, Dermot Mulroney, and Janel Parrish; indie features including 'Stay Awake,' with an award winning debut at the 2022 Berlin Film Festival and starring Chrissy Metz; the IFC release 'Hunter Hunter,' starring Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, and Camille Sullivan; and the GLAAD nominated 'Under the Christmas Tree,' Lifetime's LGBTQ+ led movie starring Elise Bauman, Tattiawna Jones, and Ricki Lake.