Dolphin Entertainment’s newly created film division, Dolphin Films, has partnered with Mattel to develop a live-action, feature-length movie based on the toyco’s popular boys’ action brand Max Steel.

Open Road Films has signed on to distribute the Max Steel movie version in the US, and the film will be the first release in a multi-picture deal with Dolphin Films that will center around movies for families, tweens, teens and young adults. Max Steel the movie, which will delve into the character’s origins, is set for a wide release in Q4 2014.

Dolphin Films is led by Dolphin Entertainment’s CEO and acclaimed producer Bill O’Dowd, who is also set to produce the Max Steel movie with Mattel’s Julia Pistor, who has worked with the likes of Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment and Viacom Enterprises in her extensive career in kids entertainment.

In addition, former COO of MGM Studios Charles Cohen has been named by O’Dowd to serve as Dolphin Films’ president.

Former Marvel Writer’s Program member Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World) has come aboard to write the Max Steel film treatment while Stewart Hendler (H+) will direct.  

Dolphin Entertainment’s shows, including Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 and Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, are currently seen in more than 300 million homes in over 100 territories globally.

The movie agreement marks further growth for the Max Steel IP which now extends across TV, mobile, and online platforms and includes a robust consumer products program spanning toys and graphic novels.