Monopoly the Movie?

Toy giant inks deal with Universal to turn franchise titles into feature films

By Josh Grossberg Feb 21, 2008 2:32 AMTags

Mr. Potato Head might have a, um, chip on his sholder about now.

Hasbro has just inked  a six-year partnership with Universal Pictures to develop several of its most popular franchises into feature films. And while such toy-shelf stalwarts as Monopoly, Candy Land, Ouija, Battleship, Magic: The Gathering and Stretch Armstrong, a certain spud was MIA. (We hear he was impossible to work with in the Toy Story flicks.)

Also a possibility: a new feature based on Clue, which was turned into 1985 ensemble comedy whodunit,  starring Tim Curry as the butler and Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum and sporting three different endings.

"This deal gives Universal access to some of the greatest brands in the world," Universal Pictures co-chiefs Marc Shmuger and David Linde said in a statement. "They offer an exciting opportunity for us to develop tentpole movies with built-in global brand awareness."

Hasbro honcho Brian Goldner said his business "is so much more than a traditional toy and game company" and that the deal offers "unique and immersive experiences with our brands."

The only Hasbro properties not part of the deal are Transformers and G.I. Joe, both of which reside at Paramount.

Transformers has already generated a blockbuster hit directed by Michael Bay and is spawning a sequel. G.I. Joe, meanwhile, is currently getting the blow-out treatment from filmmaker Stephen Summer (The Mummy ) and a cast that includes Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It's set for a summer 2009 release.

Hasbro hired a William Morris agent over a year ago to start shopping its playthings to Tinseltown producers and already has one in the pipeline.

Ridley Scott and his Scott Free Productions are reportedly developing a real-estate film based on Monopoly, though no word what it's about exactly (we can only imagine what Candy Land will be like). A syndicated Trivial Pursuit game show is also expected to debut on TV this year.

So far, no talent, directors or producers are attached to the other movie projects. But if all goes well, the first film in the pact could hit theaters as early as 2010.