The "Barbie" movie is just the start of a new age of movies inspired by toys.
2023 has already been a big year for movies based on toys and games, with Greta Gerwig's box-office hit "Barbie," new adaptations of "Transformers" and "Dungeons and Dragons," and even a biopic about the creation of Beanie Babies. Dinosaur Toys In Action Figures
"Barbie," which has grossed over $800 million at the global box office, has emboldened Mattel to develop films about its myriad toy brands, from Hot Wheels to American Girl dolls.
Hasbro also has plans for movies inspired by Monopoly and Play-Doh.
Here is everything you need to know about the popular toy brands that are getting the movie treatment.
A movie based on the popular family board game has been in the works for over a decade.
A Monopoly movie was first mooted by Oscar-nominated director Ridley Scott during an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2007. The director said he thought the game would produce "a hysterically amusing and I think rather exciting film."
In 2009, producer Frank Beddor came up with an interesting pitch for a Monopoly movie, which he told IGN that Scott was excited about.
Beddor described the idea as a "comedic action-adventure" about a "lovable loser" who has to battle "the evil Parker Brothers" in a game of real-life Monopoly.
The film never made it to the big screen and instead, another film was developed through a partnership between Lionsgate and Hasbro in 2015, with "The Truman Show" writer Andrew Niccol attached. The movie ended up not happening.
In 2019, Deadline reported that Kevin Hart will star in a Monopoly movie directed by "The Blackening" director Tim Story, though no plot details or filming dates have been revealed since then.
However, with Lionsgate's recent acquisition of Entertainment One's TV and film operations from Hasbro this year, it seems a Monopoly movie is a top priority.
"We look forward to partnering with them, especially on a movie adaptation of Monopoly," Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said of the sale to Lionsgate in August.
Last year, Deadline and Variety reported that the putty-like children's toy will be the focus of an upcoming movie.
The publications reported that the film will be an animated story written by Emily V. Gordon ("The Big Sick"), and produced by Jon M. Chu (who directed "Crazy Rich Asians" and "In The Heights").
Action Man was the UK's answer to the G.I. Joe action figures and the brand was later acquired by Hasbro.
In 2012, the Los Angeles Times reported that Hasbro had signed a deal with independent production company Emmett/Furla Films to make films based on Hungry Hungry Hippos, Monopoly, and Action Man.
In 2018, it was Deadline reported that James Bobin ("The Muppets") had been tapped to direct, and Simon Farnaby ("Paddington 2") was hired to write the script. The film is to be produced by Paramount Players, a division of Paramount Pictures
Beyblade has been turned in various animated series but now a live-action movie is in the works.
In 2015, Deadline first reported that the rights to the spinning-top toys had been acquired by Paramount Pictures.
There were no further updates until last year, when Deadline reported that Jerry Bruckheimer ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Bad Boys") will produce the movie, with Neil Widener and Gavin James signed on to write the script.
Hasbro and Paramount have been partnering on the live-action "Transformers" series since 2007, with the latest adaptation, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," hitting theaters this past summer.
Numerous "Transformers" spinoffs and sequels are also in the works.
In 2020, Deadline reported that Paramount and Hasbro had partnered together to produce an animated prequel movie that takes place on Cybertron and explains the origins of fan-favorite characters Optimus Prime and Megatron.
"Toy Story 4" director Josh Cooley was hired to direct the film written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.
The movie is set to premiere on September 13, 2024, and stars Chris Hemsworth (as Optimus), Brian Tyree Henry (as Megatron), Jon Hamm (as Sentinel Prime), Keegan-Michael Key (as Bumblebee), Laurence Fishburne (as Alpha Trion), and Scarlet Johansson (as Elita).
In 2022, Paramount announced that "Rise of the Beasts" will be the first of a new trilogy, which means that at least two more live-action "Transformers" movies are in development.
At the end of the latest movie, a crossover between the "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" franchises was also teased.
Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura told Radio Times earlier this year that instead of having a separate crossover film, "some G.I. Joe characters" will appear in "Transformers 8," along with the Autobots and the Maximals.
In 2021, multipe outlets reported that Angel Manuel Soto ("Blue Beetle") has signed on to direct a standalone "Transformers" movie, with Marco Ramirez ("The Defenders") writing the script. No further details have emerged since.
1985's "Clue" was the first movie release inspired by a board game, and Ryan Reynolds is eyeing a new adaptation of the famous murder-mystery game.
In 2018, Deadline first reported that Reynolds' production company, Maximum Effort, was working with Hasbro and 20th Century Studios on a new "Clue."
"Deadpool" writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were in talks to pen the script in 2018.
In 2019, TheWrap reported that Jason Bateman was in talks to direct, star, and help write.
Last year, Deadline reported that Oren Uziel is set to rewrite Reese and Wernick's script, and James Bobin will direct.
In 2018, Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie and other famous brands created a division to make movies inspired by its toys, games, and brands, and appointed Robbie Brenner, an acclaimed film producer, to oversee it.
"Barbie" is the first movie to be co-produced by Mattel Films, but a New Yorker article suggests that there are a total of 45 movies in development at Mattel, including movies based on Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, American Girl, and a whole host more.
Promotional Pencils With Logo Read about all of Mattel's upcoming projects here.