Luckychap Entertainment Aims to Move Forward with Live Action Monopoly Movie - MovieMaker Magazine

      Production company Luckychap Entertainment is venturing into the realm of board game film adaptations, progressing with a screen version of the classic game Monopoly. Led by Margot Robbie, the company has teamed up with writers John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein in hopes of replicating the success of Barbie.

      While the trend of adapting toys and games into films has gained traction recently, this undertaking is still seen as a significant filmmaking challenge. Collaborating with Lionsgate and Hasbro, there is a buzz on social media suggesting confidence in the film’s potential, although specific details remain limited.

      Setting a Precedent with Games

      Though the notion of a Monopoly movie may seem unusual at first glance, it is not entirely without precedent. Board games, including Monopoly, have inspired various adaptations across different media, with some achieving notable success. For instance, several online slots and casino games have emerged from the Monopoly brand, including a live version launched by Evolution Gaming. This adaptation is accessible on both computers and mobile devices, complementing traditional slot game libraries, but the translations of board games extend beyond just this.

      On the more acclaimed side, the 1985 film Clue stands out for its lasting legacy. While it did not fare well at the box office, Clue later garnered significant success in home media, earning a cult following that persists today.

      However, audiences may hesitate, recalling the 2012 adaptation of Battleship. Despite its larger budget and box office success, it received poor reviews. The decision to introduce aliens in a storyline about two naval armadas is a striking choice, representing a minimal connection to the source material the writers had at their disposal.

      What Can We Anticipate in Terms of Themes and Story?

      Despite Monopoly's popularity, many players may not be well-acquainted with its true rules and history. The game is primarily recognized for players moving around the board, lengthy game durations, and the occasional attempt to cheat the bank. Some may also remember the description used by the Parker Brothers for the original Monopoly card game, which mentioned the game being inspired by a vacation taken by Charles B. Darrow.

      In reality, Monopoly's roots trace back to the work of inventor, poet, writer, comic, and feminist Lizzie Magie. Magie patented the original version of the game in 1904 under the title The Landlord's Game. This title had two variations: the Monopoly variant and the anti-monopoly (Prosperity) variant.

      Created as a sharp critique of wealth inequality and the greed of the upper class, the game was eventually misinterpreted as endorsing monopolies. This misunderstanding was perpetuated by Charles Darrow, who appropriated the concept, misrepresented its origins, and sidelined the efforts of the actual inventor.

      With this background widely accessible and Margot Robbie riding high on the success and feminist themes of Barbie, the narrative and themes of the forthcoming Monopoly film are likely to be predictable. They are expected to reflect the original message of the game, while also addressing Darrow's misrepresentation of Magie’s contributions. Unlike Battleship, this board game adaptation has the potential to convey a meaningful message, making it something we can genuinely anticipate.