Well this info was awfully sneaky, just right before it the clock hit 2009 a couple of days ago, Variety reported that Mattel didn’t like getting kicked in the nut by Harsboro when it comes to the competition of bringing toys to life on the big screen. After the success of Transformers and the threat of the sequel, and unfortunately also the Ridley Scott-directed Monopoly movie, only God knows why…. So then Mattel started thinking..’hmmm… maybe we could also unleash one of greatest classic weapons’… HOT WHEELS.
Yup, those tiny cars are going to get some big screen treatment. My best friend Dean is still a fanatic when it comes to collecting these things, at one point, a wall on his apartment was covered with nothing but Hot Wheels, each hanging side by side, all in neat order like they’re some kind of trophies. He’s got everything from Lamborgini to Batmobile.
I never understand the fascination. A movie version based on it would get me bewildered even more.
Here’s what Barry Waldo, Mattel’s VP for entertainment and marketing said briefly about their plans with this movie…
“There’s a huge scope of what you can do. It’s a billion-dollar brand for us. We want to continue making it relevant for kids. We won’t have the cars talk. That would be off brand position for us. It won’t be another ‘Knight Rider,’ I promise that.”
I don’t get it.. so are the cars going to remain as toys but they can drive themselves around, much like the movie Small Soldiers, maybe? Whatever the final plan is, it’s going to turn out odd but I’m officially curious now.
Anyways, that’s not all.. other toys want to get their time in the spotlight too.. so here’s the breakdown of the future plans… And I’m not sure if these can be considered good ideas or bad ideas. It’s for you to decide… but like it or not,.. these movies are going to happen.
* 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.
* 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.
* MAGIC 8-BALL
There also are plans to revive this project, which was once in development at U as a romantic comedy with Tom Shadyac,
* MAJOR MATT MASON And THE MEN IN SPACE
A film version based on the once popular 1960s action figures
[...] Last month, I shared with you that Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Max Steel, and even Barbie are just some of the titles that are going to be developed. Toy based movies seem to be the in-thing now. When we cry out for [...]
[...] to suffer sitting through, watching the adaptations on the big screen. Back in January, there was announcement in the trades reporting a bunch of toy-based movies that were in the planning stages. Barbie, Hot [...]