When Board Games Become Major Motion Pictures

Jen Chaney — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Toys have been turned into movies before. It happened with "Transformers." Same deal with "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl."

Still, I find something particularly odd about making a film based on a board game. But that's exactly what Hollywood plans to do with ... wait for it .. Monopoly.

As mentioned recently in the Hollywood Reporter, the production of the Monopoly movie is moving forward and ... wait for it again .. Ridley Scott has officially decided to direct. Yes, THAT Ridley Scott, the same guy behind "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator." Honestly, what's next? Martin Scorsese signing on to helm "Hungry, Hungry Hippos"?

Apparently Hasbro, the company behind Monopoly, has other motion picture plans in the works, including film versions of "Ouija Board" and "Battleship." (We can all guess what the climactic line of dialogue will be in that last one, right?)

To be fair, Monopoly doesn't mark the first time a board game has inspired a movie. We all remember the big screen version of "Clue." (OK, some of us do. Vaguely.) Still, somehow this concept feels like a new low for movie ideas. Then again, perhaps I am wrong.

Maybe Americans are simply dying to see another classic "Kid MovesThimble Around Board, Kid Tries to Buy Park Place But Realizes He Has No Money, Kid Gets Bored and Ditches Monopoly to Play Video Games Instead" story. It's so cliche, though. I mean, that's basically the same exact plot as "No Country for Old Men."

You tell me if I'm wrong. Seriously, I know you're capable of doing that based on the stick incident. Does the "Monopoly" movie sound like a great idea? Would you take your kids to see it? And who should play that dude with the monocle?

Strollerderby : Ouija Board

When Board Games Become Major Motion Pictures