Frog leaps on 'Girl'

WB signs on for new 'Felicity' pic

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Harden

Schneider

The WB Network has finalized the cast and greenlit production on "Felicity: An American Girl Adventure," the second Frog telepic based on the ultrasuccessful line of "American Girl" dolls and books. First two-hour "Girl" pic aired last November on the WB and scored solid ratings.

Julia Roberts and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, via Red Om Films, are returning as exec producers for the pic, which is also being backed by Revolution Studios and Warner Bros. Television.

Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden and "Smallville" regular John Schneider head up the cast of "Felicity," playing the mom and dad of the title character. "Jack and Bobby's" Shailene Woodley has been cast as Felicity.

WB Entertainment prexy David Janollari said the first "American Girl" pic represented a "huge hit for us with audiences, critics and advertisers" and said he hopes the films will become "perennial family favorites and a successful franchise for us."

In addition to Roberts and Goldsmith-Thomas, Nancy Bennett, Lisa Gillan and Deborah Schindler will exec produce the pic. Anna Sandor ("My Louisiana Sky") is set to script, while Nadia Tass, who directed the first "American Girl" telepic, will return to helm "Felicity."

Harden's daughter Eulala Scheel and Kevin Zegers ("Dawn of the Dead") also have been cast in the pic.

Frog expects to air the new "Felicity" sometime this fall. Pic, set in Colonial Williamsburg, has Felicity trying to help a spirited mare escape from the town drunk, who has been abusing the horse.