Reese Witherspoon gains rights to Barbie story

Actress Reese Witherspoon. Photo / AP

The back-story of the iconic Barbie doll is set to be brought to the big screen by Reese Witherspoon.

Witherspoon's production company, Pacific Standard, which she operates with Australian producer Bruna Papandrea, has acquired the film rights to Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her, according to The Tracking Board.

The 2010 book, written by Robin Gerber, chronicles the true story of US businesswoman Ruth Handler, the daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants, and her creation of the industry-changing toy in the 1950s.

- AAP