If you can make a critically beloved and financially successful film based on plastic building blocks like LEGO, then you can pretty much make a movie about anything. At least that seems to be the resounding idea motivating a certain decision by Jason Blum.
According to Deadline, Mattel is teaming up with Blumhouse for a live-action film based on their popular Magic 8 Ball toy. Jeff Wadlow is attached to direct. Wadlow has worked with Blumhouse before, having directed Truth or Dare as well as the upcoming Fantasy Island adaptation. In addition to directing, Wadlow is co-writing the film with collaborators Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach.
Deadline interestingly notes that this will be Mattel’s first time partnering with an independent film studio like Blumhouse.
Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films had this to say:
“Since the 1950s, Magic 8 Ball has inspired imagination, suspense and intrigue across generations. This iconic toy has a built-in connection with fans and untapped potential for storytelling. There are no partners better suited to tell the Magic 8 Ball story in collaboration with Mattel Films than Jeff Wadlow and Blumhouse Productions, whose unique approach to the thriller genre has captivated audiences worldwide and has gained widespread accolades.”
Magic 8 Ball (or whatever it ends up being called) is the sixth project that Mattel Films currently has in development, all based on the company’s historic lineup of iconic toys. These projects include movies for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, American Girl and View Master brands.
This isn’t the first time a studio has tried to make a Magic 8 Ball movie. Nine years ago, such a film was in development over at Paramount with Jon Gunn and John Mann writing.
What do you make of a Magic 8 Ball movie? Do you trust Blumhouse to do something memorable with the property? Do you even think it’s a good idea to make the toy into a movie? Jump down to the comments section and let me know how you feel about this story!
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