Imported from Japan, the Hello Kitty brand is one of the most popular around the world - and now its reach will be extending to

the big screen. This is because it has been officially announced that a Hello Kitty movie is in development.

It seems as though things are still in the early stages, though Deadline is reporting that there is a plan in place to have the finish product in theatres worldwide some time in 2019. It's unclear at this

point which medium the movie will be made in - be

it animation or possibly an animation/live-action hybrid - but financing is all set up thanks to the Japanese lifestyle company Sanrio.

Existing for more than 40 years now, Hello Kitty centres Kitty White - an anthropomorphized cat who lives in London with her family. She goes to school, bakes, collects things, and enjoys playing with her twin sister, Mimmy. The character has been adapted into multiple television shows that have been produced since 1987.