DeamWorks Animation is planning a Trolls animated franchise.

The movie studio has acquired the rights to the famous toy line from Danish company Dam Things and the Dam family in a bid to create a new movie franchise centred on the bright-haired creatures.

The company has named Shawn Dennis, best known for her work on the popular American Girl doll line, as the head of development for the brand.

DreamWorks CEO Ann Daly said in a statement: ''Trolls is a brand with over fifty years of deep heritage and we are thrilled to bring this iconic, multi-generational property to DreamWorks Animation. We have big plans for this franchise and Shawn Dennis is uniquely suited to lead this charge. She helped grow the American Girl brand into a household name and by bringing this expertise to Trolls she will introduce these characters to legions of new fans around the world.''

Dam Things CEO Calle Ostergaard added: ''DreamWorks Animation is renowned for telling wonderful stories about imaginative worlds while bringing characters with universal appeal into the hearts and homes of families everywhere - I can think of no better future for Trolls.''

The diminutive toys became one of the must-have children's playthings of the 1960s and experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and again in 2003.

DreamWorks is best known for its hit animated franchises including 'Kung Fu Panda', 'Shrek' and 'Madagascar'.