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Lionsgate is proceeding with its film version of the iconic board game ‘Monopoly,’ hiring John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein to pen the script. The duo, which is highly acclaimed for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, will be collaborating with production companies LuckyChap Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment on the big-budget venture.
The concept of a Monopoly film has had a long and winding path in Hollywood. Discussions started as early as 2008 when director Ridley Scott was keen on a comedy-thriller take on the game. Despite development reports and script drafts over the years, including a big pitch by Frank Beddor in 2009, the movie remained in development. In 2015, Lionsgate and Hasbro partnered with Andrew Niccol to write a family-oriented action-adventure film based on the game. Another version surfaced in 2019 with Kevin Hart to star and Tim Story to direct. None of these adaptations progressed to production.
Since its introduction in 1935, Monopoly has become a cultural phenomenon with a 99% worldwide awareness rate. The game has sold close to half a billion copies and is translated in more than 100 countries. Its long-standing popularity is due to its interactive mechanics, where players purchase, sell, and exchange properties to drive other players into bankruptcy, mirroring real-life economic concepts.
Daley and Goldstein bring a rich source of experience to the Monopoly movie. Their most recent project, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, received critical success for its blend of adventure and humor, grossing over $200 million globally. The duo’s credits also encompass the action-comedy Game Night, which received praise for its direction and writing. Their ability to infuse genre movies with humor and Originality is what makes them suitable for the Monopoly venture.
LuckyChap Entertainment, co-founded by Margot Robbie, is responsible for the critically acclaimed Barbie movie, which was a massive box office success. In partnership with Hasbro Entertainment, the company will be involved in developing the iconic board game into an interesting movie. Lionsgate’s recent acquisition of eOne from Hasbro has also solidified its rights to develop the Monopoly franchise, enabling the studio to boost its content and access Hasbro’s intellectual properties.
While specific plot details and a release date remain secret, the addition of Daley and Goldstein has raised hopes for the project. Their track record suggests a fresh and compelling take on the material, with the potential to appeal to gamers and general audiences alike. As the film continues in development, industry observers are curious to see how the creative team will approach the task of adapting a board game into a feature-length narrative.
The Monopoly movie is yet another instance of Hollywood’s interest in adapting classic games and toys into films, following success with ventures like Barbie. The collaboration between Lionsgate, LuckyChap, and Hasbro Entertainment exemplifies a strategic effort to combine classic properties with contemporary storytelling in a bid to thrill the imaginations of worldwide audiences across demographics.
