Character goods business Sanrio Co. said Thursday it aims to globally release a film featuring its famed Hello Kitty character as early as 2019 through a wholly owned subsidiary it set up in the United States.

With the project cost expected to total ¥20 billion ($162 million) to ¥30 billion, it will likely set up a fund to raise money for producing the movie.

Established in June and capitalized at $200,000, Sanrio Media & Pictures Entertainment Inc. plans to expand the Japan-made character’s animated movies and digital contents business worldwide.