In an effort to catch up with all of the other toy-inspired movie franchises hitting theaters, Universal Pictures recently teamed up with Hasbro for a six-year partnership. What’s their first movie together? That’s right, it’s Stretch Armstrong.
What’s that you say, “Stretch Armstrong hasn’t been a popular toy for over a decade?” Sorry, doesn’t matter. Hollywood has run out of original ideas and they’re raiding our childhood to compensate.
Stretch Armstrong will be written by Steve Oedekirk of Ace Ventura and Bruce Almighty fame. The film will be produced by Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment. Here’s what Grazer had to say about the project.
“Stretch Armstrong is a character I have wanted to see on screen for a long time…He’s an unconventional kind of super hero with a power that no one would want. It’s a story about a guy stretching – if you will – the limits of what is possible to become all that he can be.”
“An unconventional superhero?” What about Mr. Fantastic? Or Plastic-Man? The only notable thing I remember about Stretch Armstrong is that, eventually, every kid cut him open to see what was inside. Call me crazy, but I’m thinking they won’t go that route for the movie.
What do you think? Could Stretch Armstrong be worthwhile, or is Universal stretching their luck?
Stretch Armstrong is currently slated for an April 16, 2011 release.
Source: Variety, IGN
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WHAT?!
Another WTF are they thinking. Original ideas can’t be completely dried up, can they?
@ Andy S
No original ideas are not dried up. The problem is Hollywood is too lazy to find them. That’s why they are making “new” movies off of toys and classic movies that DO NOT need to be remade.
Steve Oedekirk, is that the same piece of trash who wrote that Kung Pao movie?
That alone…no, Brian Grazer, please save your money for something better.
Why am I feeling like I’m in The Neverending Story? Hollywood must be that black cloud that’s coming because there’s no more imagination. Give me a frakking break!
It sure is hard to believe that the Hollywood that gave us great ideas such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Lethal Weapon, Stargate, Dirty Harry, Aliens, The Abyss, Blues Brothers, Beverly Hills Cop, et. al. actually can’t come up with something new and innovative. Instead they’re dragging the bottom of the barrel trying to collect on name recognition. Maybe this is just a (hopefully) brief phase that the current leadership is going through. Maybe in 5-10 years, we’ll have actual people who know about movies running the show. We can only hope.
Preeeetty much sounds like the fantastic 4 minus three of them . . . yea uhmmm wtf
wonder if this will have jim carrey in it like “ace…” and bruce…”
though i also heard he was in the running for “Plastic Man”. Perhaps he’ll be in both – wouldn’t be much of a STRETCH. (couldn’t resist the pun).
Hollywood is dead now, its out of ideas.
@ Mark,
It seems that H-Wood has been out of ideas for some time now.
A few years ago,i was watching Sunday Morning Shootout on AMC,and they were doing a show about screenwriting.One of the things that they said that will always stick with me is that there are tens of thousands of screenplays out there just sitting on floors of studio execs,but since those screenwriters don’t have enough Hollywood clout,they will just sit there for god knows how long.
Moral:There are good and original stories out there,but they are probably buried under piles upon piles of other screenplays and will more than likely never see the light of day.
what the hell is wrong with the movie companies next LEGOS THE MOVIE LOL
WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?
lol I cut my stretch armstrong open when i was little
Longshanks, I caught that show as well and it really affected me since I am currently writing screenplays at the moment. Fortunately I live in Toronto, Canada. Even though our film industry was stank for some years, it has been rising slowly which is why I would say for the moment we stick for films outside Hollywood.
They will get their money from Middle America, and the blockbusters but the majority of time we better stick to films outside.
Think about it, The Road Warrior, basically the most influential film to come in the last 30 years–dont believe me, take a look at The Book of Eli and tell that is not influenced by Mad Max–is an Aussi film.
Prosecution Rests.
fun toy, mine got a tear in it and oozed this syrupy liquid. bandaid only lasted so long.
as a movie though? awful idea.
What do you expect? This is what happens when MBA’s and corporations take over a creative industry. “Brand awareness” trumps originality and creativity.
I don’t know about everyone else,but I sure can’t wait for the Slinky movie or Big Wheel the movie.FYI that was sarcasm.:p
I had a Stretch Armstrong growing up.I got bored with him and crucified him to the tree in the backyard.Ah the wonderful memories of childhood.FYI that is a true story.;)