The ‘Hello Kitty’ Movie Is Closer to Happening, Latest Report Confirms

Hello Kitty is undoubtedly one of the best-known brands in the world. The character first appeared in 1975 on a vinyl coin purse, after having been created a year before by Yukio Shimizu. Sanrio owns the rights to the character, who has appeared in numerous aspects of popular culture, from video games to anime.

In this report, we are going to provide you with more information about the announced Hello Kitty movie, a project that Warner Bros. announced back in 2019. Since then, updates on the project have been scarce, but as it seems, it is – indeed – moving forward.

This comes after a recent update by the people involved, which provides us with more interesting information about the state of the project and about the future. And while we haven’t really received any precise information or dates, we can confirm that the people involved are still working on the movie and that we might see it soon.

As Nikkei reports, the long-awaited Hello Kitty movie is moving forward after five years of silence. The rough script for the live-action/anime movie has been completed, according to the latest report.

The project is being produced by Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and FlynnPictureCo. Sanrio president Tomokuni Tsuji recently met with co-director Leo Matsuda in Beverly Hills to discuss the film’s progress. Matsuda shared that Hello Kitty’s message of ‘Getting Along Together’ is universal and can connect with people worldwide.

The movie was first announced back in 2019, but updates have been scarce. After a long wait, it seems that things are finally happening behind the scenes. Although there is no confirmed release date yet, it’s clear that the film is still in development.

Matsuda, alongside Jennifer Coyle, is directing the film. Matsuda has worked on popular Disney movies like The Princess and the Frog, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6, while Coyle is known for her work on Bob’s Burgers and Harley Quinn. They both believe Hello Kitty’s message of love, friendship, and inclusivity will resonate deeply with audiences.

The key update from the project is the completion of a rough script by writer Lindsay Beer. And while the script is still being fine-tuned, this marks an important milestone for the film’s development. Matsuda and Coyle have expressed excitement about bringing Hello Kitty to life, believing the character’s positivity is exactly what the world needs right now. Back in 2021, Coyle said:

I am delighted by this incredible opportunity to work with one of the most universally beloved characters and expand their relatable Sanrio stories even further. This is not only a rare chance to bring a beloved character to life, but also to spread the message of love, friendship and inclusivity that Hello Kitty stands for.

Source: CBR

The timing of the movie’s progress comes as Hello Kitty celebrates her 50th anniversary in 2024. This milestone has been huge for Sanrio, with the company seeing record profits. In fact, Sanrio’s net profit jumped by 82% to about 19 billion yen (around US$124 million) in the first half of 2024.

Hello Kitty’s success in the business world is largely due to strategic partnerships with brands like McDonald’s, Forever 21, and BAPE, along with ongoing events and special licensing opportunities like Hello Kitty Cafés.

Fans have been waiting a long time for this film, and while the release date remains up in the air, it’s clear that things are finally moving forward. The combination of animation and live-action, along with the strong creative team behind the project, has many excited to see Hello Kitty’s big-screen debut.

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