Kristin Chenoweth to lead vocal cast of 'My Little Pony' movie

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Lionsgate and Hasbro are teaming up for a big-screen, animated My Little Pony adventure, featuring the vocal talent of Kristin Chenoweth.

Meghan McCarthy, writer and producer for the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic cartoon series, is penning the screenplay, which will be produced by Hasbro's Allspark Pictures.

This will be Hasbro's first animated feature film. Lionsgate will be distributing and marketing it globally, except in China.

"We are pleased to partner with Hasbro to bring their brands to audiences in new and exciting ways," Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erik Feig said in a statement Friday. "Meghan McCarthy and the My Little Pony cast are a very talented and cohesive team whom we're happy to be working with and we're excited about the addition of the very talented Kristin Chenoweth, as we explore new aspects of these characters and new story opportunities for the franchise."

"We are thrilled to expand the My Little Pony story to the big screen, and take these beloved characters on a new and unexpected journey that will delight fans of all ages," said Stephen Davis, chief content officer of Hasbro, Inc. "It's an honor to add Kristin Chenoweth to the cast as the voice of an all new, never-before-seen My Little Pony character in the film. Her incredible Broadway and silver-screen performances in Wicked, Glee, and many more make her the perfect fit for this animated, musical adventure."