AceShowbiz -

"My Little Pony" is going to the big screen. Toy company Hasbro's film division Allspark Pictures has given the greenlight to a movie based on the beloved plastic toy ponies.

"We have two movies we are currently developing under our new film label, Allspark Pictures. These films are 'My Little Pony' and 'Jem and the Holograms'," Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner said in a conference call. "We envision Allspark Pictures as a new way to make fresh and compelling movies, based on new and existing Hasbro brands, for audiences globally."

The plan is to release the animated film in 2017. "Atlantis 7" scribe Joe Ballarini was hired to pen the script for "Pony" while the series version's writer Megan McCarthy will be co-executive producer. A director is yet to be named.

Hasbro Studios will produce and finance the film. "We're very excited about the potential of that movie," said Stephen Davis, president of Hasbro Studios and global entertainment and licensing for Hasbro Inc.

Developed since 1983, "My Little Pony" features colorful bodies, manes and a unique symbol on one or both sides of their flanks which are often called "cutie marks." It spawned four animated series including the successful 2010 series "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic".