Here’s a “clue” about which studio will be developing the new “Clue” movie based on the classic board game: it’s no longer Universal. The project is one of the seven movies that was in a deal Hasbro made with Universal back in 2008. But Universal has decided that they will no longer distribute the film directed by Gore Verbinski (the first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and “Rango”).
But it looks like this second version of “Clue” will still come to the big screen (the first was in 1985). Hasbro has decided to produce the film itself along with Verbinski’s company Blind Wink (which also produced “Rango”). Hasbro has been attached to the three “Transformers” movies, and 2009’s “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”. However, starting next year Hasbro could become a HUGE force with “Battleship”, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation”, and “Ouija”. “Stretch Armstrong” is also in the works for a 2012 release, and “Candyland” is set to open sometime in 2013. All of those except for “G.I. Joe 2” will be distributed by Universal (the “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” movies are Paramount releases).
According to Cinema Blend, more of Hasbro’s games will also be turned into movies over the next few years, including a Ridley Scott produced “Monopoly” movie in 2014, an adaptation of “Risk” for Sony due out in 2013, and “Magic: the Gathering”. A “Micronauts” movie is also a possibility for next year. Some people thought J.J. Abrams would be involved but now he’s directing “Star Trek 2”, so I don’t think that’s going to work.
I’m not sure if Hasbro will end-up being able to produce “Clue” without a major studio behind it. Maybe Paramount should get involved since they’ve had much success with Hasbro already.