The Toy Fair 2010 is underway in NYC, ergo this announcement that there are plans for yet another movie franchise based on a toy. The indie Helix Films announced today an exclusive partnership with Meccano Toy Company to develop a 3D feature film based upon the Erector Set brand of kiddie construction toys. The deal represents the first time Meccano has licensed film rights to their toys but Tv and video games also are contemplated. While details of the story are being kept under wraps, the film will be "a family fantasy/adventure".
“The three partners of Helix Films all grew up playing with Erector Set toys but in different countries — Kevin Foo in Australia, Gaukhar Noortas in Kazakhstan, and me and my brother Robert in the U.S. — so our partnership with Meccano is very personal, as well as exciting,” said Steven-Charles Jaffe (Ghost, Star Trek IV, Strange Days) of Santa Monica-based Helix Films. “We believe the iconic Erector brand offers generational appeal with global reach, providing a tremendous platform to create a thrilling film franchise that boys, girls and adults will all adore.”
We've been down this road before: here and here for example. Hwood's obsession with pre-branded brands continues unabated!
So time to tote up the list: Viewmaster 3D, Legos, Candyland, Monopoly, and now Erector Set. What other toys or board games have been greenlit in the last 2 years? Too many for me to keep them straight!
UPDATE: Just found this post:
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Set up at Warner Bros., Joel Silver is spearheading the live action version of the '80s action figures, scripted by Justin Marks, who's penned bigscreen versions of "Voltron," "Green Arrow" and "Street Fighter." It's finalizing a deal with a director.
- Hot Wheels: Also at WB, the actioner will feature the toy line's cars in a pic also to be produced by Silver from a script by Matt Nix (USA's "Burn Notice"). The project was once at Sony with McG at the helm before being put into turnaround after pics like "Stealth" crashed and burned.
- Barbie: A live action film will revolve around the iconic doll, with several filmmakers in contention to start development on the pic.
- Max Steel: A feature is in development about this line of action figures that incorporate elements of James Bond. The character, featured in a weekly animated TV series on Kids WB and Cartoon Network from 2000-03, targeted boys age 8-to-12 and has been featured in direct-to-DVD movies in Latin America.
Add these to the list.
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9 comments:
Didn't I also read about a Stretch Armstrong movie?
Burg & Myers wrote a draft of Stretch Armstrong for Joe Roth way back around 1995. That project has had perhaps 15+ writers on it. But yes, new energy on it of late.
Yes, Taylor Lautner is Stretch Armstrong if it goes forward.
Didn't notice Berg's Battleship.
It's so ridiculous, but there is money to be made, as anyone with young children knows. My two oldest sons would want to see all of these except Barbie. My wife would want to see that one.
Oh Jesus Christ on a fucking pogo stick.
This is getting out of control.
I'm still waiting on the live-action thriller Pet Rock film. Any time now, I suspect.
Can't leave BATTLESHIP out of the mix. Cool invisible aliens do ocean battle with the Navy...out in 2011.
Oops - sorry CH. Missed your BS reference.
Can't believe no one's set up a 3D version of SLINKY yet...
HeMan is now over at Sony with Escape Artists producing, fyi. Risk is there, too, with Overbrook producing. Gore Verbinski was attached to Clue at Universal at one point, though I think that project's up in the air at the moment.
Not to be Mr. Self-Promotion, but I just looked at the Hasbro credits at www.itsonthegrid.com and was reminded of several others:
Action Man - action figure (Universal)
Jem And The Holograms - action figure/TV show (Universal)
Magic: The Gathering - card-based RPG (Universal)
Ouija Board - board game (Universal/Platinum Dunes)
Ouija Board I remembered off the top of my head, and I was aware of Magic because I'm a geek, but Action Man and Jem etc. are examples of a bad idea taken too far, IMHO.
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