Universal is currently working off the movie-making formula of [Ridely Scott] {RS} + [any marketable franchise] {amf} = [large amounts of money] {$$$}. So, the big-brained execs with more money than sense started plugging variables into their equation to see what would produce the largest profit. It’s a basic algebra equation where you are simply trying to solve for X, or in this case, {amf}. I recently found some of the failed formulas they used to try and achieve their goal.
Examples: {RS} + {My Little Ponies} = {-$}
{RS} + {Mighty Ducks Remake} = {$}
{RS} + {Survivor the movie} = {$$}
{RS} + {Talking Washing Machine} = {-$$}
{RS} + {Monopoly} = {$$$}
BINGO! That last one was their eureka moment, the one that got them fist bumping and popping champagne corks.
OK so I’m exaggerating a bit with the fist bumping (it is flu season and all friendly exchanges are done non-contact now) but the rest has to be totally true. There is no one involved with this Monopoly Project that thinks it will be anything but a success. In fact, in their minds, the audience just landed on Boardwalk and the studio has a hotel on it. *CHA-CHING!*
So Beddor pitched his idea to Hasbro and Ridley Scott and they ate it up? How on earth did that happen?
“Well it was that pitch, that’s where Sir Ridely got excited. After I pitched it to him, he put out his hand and said, ‘What do I have to be part of this movie?’ “
And just why would Ridley Scott, famed director of Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator, want to be involved in a project with a concept as ridiculous the one Beddor just mentioned? Beddor explains:
“So I said [to Ridley Scott], ‘Do you mean you want to direct it?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, and I will tell you why – it’s all the things you just said and the fact that I had these epic Monopoly battles with my family when I was young.’”
I can honestly say I’ve never had an “epic Monopoly battle” with anyone. Games of Connect Four and Mastermind, on the other hand, have ended more than once with a fat lip, black eye or bloody nose. Beddor is well aware of all the ire he is drawing across the movie news world in regards the very idea of Monopoly being made into a movie, and to those people he says this:
“Everybody reacted the same way when they heard that there was going to be a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean‘ movie — and I did too. Look, so much of it is about the execution. You know the visual component is going to be beautiful with Ridley. And you have all of the world editions to deal with — there are different editions of the game so the city won’t be limited to the Atlantic City edition that we know in America. Ridley grew up with the British version.”
Addressing that last part of his comment would fill an entire post by itself. I’ll just leave you with this bit from Beddor where Boucher asks him about addressing corporate greed and if the backlash Wall Street is receiving right now could negatively affect the film.
“Well it’s not about that; it can’t be just about the money. To me it’s more a metaphor for life, the taking of chances and this character through this process learns that he can do a lot of things. He’s completely brave and strategic and risk-taking while playing this game but in real life he’s a mess. He won’t roll the dice. That’s the character and journey he has to take.”
Brave, strategic, risk-taking – what game is he referring to, because it sure isn’t Monopoly. You roll the dice, you move the spaces, you decide to buy or not buy and then after 2 hours you quit the game and do something else; which is most likely how the Monopoly movie will end as well.
Do you feel the same way about the Monopoly story concept or does hearing the plan of execution (again, pun-intended) get you really excited to see this film?
Monopoly is still currently untitled and is penciled in for a 2011 release.
Source: LA Times
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This is absurd. I hope it fails horribly.
You’re telling me there isn’t ONE script languishing in Hollywood that is better than this crap? NOT ONE?!?!
Wow that’s the best they can come up with? I still don’t understand how Hollywood thinks turning board games into movies will be huge cash cows?
I predicted a Monopoly movie about 5 or 6 years ago.I never thought that it would be something this ridiculous! I thought that it would be more along the lines of Jumanji,which I guess is kinda the opposite of what this is,with the main character (Robin Williams) and others coming out of the game and into the real world,as to the main character going into the game world.
I guarantee that the board game Life becomes a movie as well,if this one actually does good.
This sounds really stupid. But give Leslie Neilsen a break. Airplane and the Naked Gun movies are hilarious.
I didn’t bother reading the article. Just wondering if anyone remembered Clue and wondered where I could snag a copy of Ludo: The Directors Cut…
I want some of, or all of the drugs this guy is on. Becuase he seems way to happy and content with that horrific idea that spilled out of his mouth.
Hmmm… Who wants to bet all their Monopoly money that Ridley Scott will bail on directing this one and let it fall into the hands of a lesser director?
I can totally imagine Mathew McConaughey signing up to star in this.
I’m with Bill Blume on this one. Ridley might think the idea could work, but once he sits down and actually tries to create a movie out of it he’s gonna realize what a mistake it is.
My biggest problem here is that it isn’t even an adaptation of Monopoly, it’s just a guy playing the game. It’s funny that he brought up Pirates of the Caribbean, because that’s a fairly good example of how to do it, but it’s the complete opposite of what he’s come up with. Pirates made up a mythology that didn’t previously exist; they didn’t just have some poor smuck get sucked into the ride.
This just feels like a cheat. Look at Battleship. The alien idea might be ridiculous, but at least it’s not just a guy getting sucked into the board game.
I think Hasbro is the one that’s most anxious and desperately wants this to work. Hollywood’s going along purely for the money.
ahaha i could not stop laughing as that description just got even worse and worse as it went on. so this guy is saying that he wrote a completely unoriginal script based on a board game in order to make some bucks from Hasbro and put his career down the drain in the process? excellent.
this is crap has hollywood gotton that desperate that they have to think this makes any sense come on guys think up something new.it’s been awhile sense the strike it’s time to start using your brains you did so goood for a long time there. i can’t belive that roland emerich is the only one with any creativty and even it’s questionable.
Wheres the facepalm guy when you need him?
ugh, this is totally a waste, it’s pretty difficult since it’s the Monopoly game. The standard for board game movies is definitely Clue. If you haven’t watched it, you’re missing out. The three endings were awesome, and the movie was very well written and was very detailed. (if you follow the movie closely, all three endings were possible, but the “real” last ending was the bomb). This old move set the bar really high, and Monopoly isn’t even close.
For the love of all board games, WHY? Is Hollywood really that desperate for story ideas. I mean, REALLY? Then there’s a movie based on the Witchboard movies, How about a Connect 4 Movie, Solitare, Frogger, etc.
If you listen closely, you can hear Alfred Hitchcock weeping! :-O
If you listen closely, you can hear Alfred Hitchcock weeping! :-O
Eh, who am I kidding… I'll probably go see the damn thing…. -_-
(shun me now…)
So… can I have that lunch box?