Hasbro and Universal have found a director and screenwriter for their upcoming movie based on the enduring board game Monopoly. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien) will direct and the difficult job of adapting the property for the screen has gone to Pamela Pettler, who has written Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Gil Kenan’s Monster House and Shan Acker’s 9, which is being produced by Burton and Timur Bekmambetov.
There’s no word on how Hasbro and Universal plan to spin a narrative from the popular real estate game involving little, plastic houses and fake money. With Scott’s involvement comes talk of a futuristic take in the vein of Blade Runner. Scott was previously attached as a producer, along with Giannina Facio and Hasbro’s Brian Goldner. Lawrence Grey will oversee production for Universal and Bennett Schneir for Hasbro.
While Monopoly seems like an odd source for movie material, it’s not the only Hasbro board game pegged for the screen. Platinum Dunes is producing a Ouija Board movie for Hasbro and Universal, and a Battleship pic is said to be in development. Paramount made a 1985 movie based on the mystery board game Clue, and is bringing Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toyline to the big screen. Directed by Stephen Sommers, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra is slated to hit theaters on Aug. 7, 2009.
