Life in plastic, it seems, really is fantastic. Following the incredible success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie— which scored $155 million in its opening run, marking the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman — yet another iconic Mattel toy is set to appear on our screens.

We’re of course referring to Polly Pocket, the pint-sized doll created by Bluebird Toys and acquired by Mattel in 1998. Remember back in 2021 when we brought you the news that Lena Dunham and Lily Collins were teaming up to bring Polly Pocket to life in a live action remake? Well, it’s officially underway.

In a statement announcing the project back in 2021, Collins said: “As a child who was obsessed with Polly Pocket, this is a real dream come true and I can’t wait to bring these tiny toys to the big screen.”

Speaking with Variety in July 2023, Robbie Brenner – who runs Mattel Films and is developing the Polly Pocket movie – confirmed that the script is done and “great.”

“First of all, they are two of my favorite ladies ever,” Brenner said of Collins and Dunham. “It’s been an amazing collaboration. Lena is so collaborative and rolls up her sleeves and really likes to roll around in notes and listen. She’s incredible. Lily is so smart and so specific and so productorial. It’s just been an incredible collaboration, so we are thrilled about it. Hopefully, we’ll be making that at some point in the future.”

Over the past year, live action versions of our childhood faves have been all the rage. However, Dunham joked that she’s not feeling threatened by Gerwig’s hotly smash-hit release. “I just want that movie in the world and I want to be watching that right now,” she said.

So what exactly do we know about the project so far?

In the early days, Dunham gave a small glimpse at the general theme saying: “I’m so thrilled to bring to bear both my love of this historic property and also my deep-seated belief that young women need smart playful films that speak to them without condescension.” At the time of the film’s announcement, it was also revealed it would follow a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship.

Now, Dunham has opened up on a few key details, including just how small Collin’s doll will be.“Let’s just say Polly Pocket was at her best when she was the original teensy tiny ’90s size,” she mused of the character, which she described as adorable and delightful. “They made her a little bigger now, which I support, because of choking hazards. But I’m writing ’90s tiny.” 

Polly Pocket might not seem like the most obvious children’s toy to canonise onto the silver screen but for many she was a doll of countless talents. She skated, she farmed, she was a chef – a true multi-hyphenate woman. If you fell under the Polly Pocket spell, you’ll know that her do-it-all attitude gives Dunham and co a lot of material to work with. 

The film is still in pre-production and Lily Collins is currently the only cast name to be revealed. The actor is no stranger to taking a starring role, so audiences can look forward to Collins lending her sweet onscreen charm to the role of Polly Pocket.

Collins and Dunham’s Good Thing Going banner will also produce the film, alongside partners MGM and Mattel Films. 

While the script is finished, with Hollywood on hold amid the WGA and SAG strike, the film likely wouldn’t start filming until late 2023 or early 2024.

As for further casting and plot details? We’ll just have to wait patiently for the next exciting update.

Images: Getty/ Marc Piasecki and David M. Benett.