When I say "Platinum Dunes," you probably think "horror remake" -- which only makes sense since PD is the production company that brought you The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hitcher, and The Amityville Horror. (Plus they also have Friday the 13th and The Birds on the way.) But it sure looks like Platinum bosses Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller are trying to deliver some (relatively) original product. They've already got David Goyer's The Unborn in production ... and now they're signed up to deliver Ouija Board: The Movie. (title not official)

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ouija will hit the big screen courtesy of Platinum Dunes, Universal Pictures, Hasbro, and producer / screenwriter David Berenbaum. (His credits include Elf and The Spiderwick Chronicles.) No director has been named yet, and the top secret premise is being described as "a supernatural adventure..." I smell a PG-13 horror flick.

All I know is I hope it's better than Witchboard.

Looking to get in on the -- well -- game, Universal has partnered with Hasbro to develop feature films based on at least four of their branded properties. Those include Monopoly, Candy Land, Clue, Ouija, Battleship, Magic, the Gathering and Stretch Armstrong. The move comes after Paramount snatched up Transformers and G.I. Joe, which means neither is part of this new deal. There's already been talk that Ridley Scott will direct a film based on the Monopoly board game, and the director even spoke about it recently -- but the others are all completely up in the air as of now.

Out of these, I could honestly see a very cute Wonka-ish film coming from Candy Land, and Stretch Armstrong could be fun if it was developed as a comedy for someone like, say, Jim Carrey. Clue was already made into a film, so the framework is there, and Battleship could go a number of different ways (though ship movies never seem to excite us all that much unless Leo DiCaprio is involved). I don't know much about Magic, the Gathering, except that it's very popular and would probably entice the teen audience, and Ouija could go either the comedic route or the haunting thriller route. As much as I'd like to trash this entire deal, fact is I really can see some potential in these games, assuming they bring onboard the right talent, the right director and the right creative minds.

What about you? Which game could you see becoming the next big motion picture?

I don't know who in their right mind would want to play with this ugly thing, but hey -- some kids are just a tad warped these days. Yes, Hasbro has released images of their new Cloverfield monster toy -- and I guess the good part is that it finally gives us a great look at the monster, seeing as we didn't get a whole lot from the actual film. Even from looking at it up close, I still can't figure out where the filmmakers came up with this creature. While I definitely spot traces of the Predator, this thing is completely and totally unique. So I give them that. Here's what you get for a whopping $100 (oh yes -- throw the words 'limited edition' in front of something, and you can charge whatever you like):

• 70 points of articulation and incredible life-like detail
• Authentic sound
• 14" tall
• 10 parasites
• Two interchangeable heads
• Statue of Liberty head accessory
• Special Cloverfield collector's edition packaging

Is it just me, or is that Statue of Liberty head taking it a bit too far? Anyway, you can purchase this ... thing ... from the Hasbro site, and you'll definitely have to let us know what your dinner guests think of it. We've included a couple more images after the jump, so enjoy!

SPOILERS AFTER THE JUMP -- CLOVERFIELD MONSTER REVEALED -- DO NOT CLICK IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT!!!

[via Coming Soon]

As you may or may not have heard, Cloverfield pulled in some monstrous (getting that joke out of the way up front) numbers this weekend, taking in just over $40 million according to Box Office Mojo. The monster that beheads the Statue of Liberty and ruins the evening for several partying New Yorkers has been a closely guarded secret, and for those of us who haven't seen the movie yet (I'm hoping to catch it this week), the creature's appearance remains a tantalizing mystery. Whatever the big fella looks like, though, he's about to be immortalized by the same folks who brought us Cabbage Patch Kids, Play-Doh and Monopoly.

Variety is reporting that orders for an action figure based on the Cloverfield monster are being taken over at Hasbro's website. The figure won't ship until September 30 and, presumably in the interest of keeping the monster's look under wraps a while longer, no images of the toy are available just now. If you absolutely must have one of these, start saving your pennies because it's going to be a bit pricey. Aimed at the collectible crowd, it's selling for $100. The 14-inch figure comes with two interchangeable heads (one calm, one on the rampage), 10 parasites, and the Statue of Liberty's noggin.

Hasbro, of course is no stranger to movie tie-ins. Not only do they have a long history of movie based toys, but several of their products have gone in the other direction and had films based on them. Hasbro's Transformers was the basis for the last summer's film of the same name and a motion picture version of G.I. Joe is in the works.

In the midst of all the casting speculation for the big-budget version of Hasbro's G.I. Joe, I don't quite think fans expected to hear this name pop up first. Variety reports that Sienna Miller has officially become first actor to sign for the Stephen Sommers (The Mummy) film. Nothing has been simple with this film; starting back in June when it was reported that Paramount had ordered two different scripts for the film, only to do away with one entirely and then hire a brand new script writer. According to Variety, the story will center on, "Brussels-based GI OE, an acronym for the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, and revolves around an international co-ed force of operatives who use high-tech equipment to battle Cobra, an evil org headed by a Scottish arms dealer".

So how might Miller fit into the story, you may ask? According to Variety, she will play "raven-haired baroness and sexy femme fatale skilled in espionage" -- which is probably a compendium of some of Joe's more famous leading ladies. But considering Miller's history as a model, you think they would have made her Cover Girl.

Most of the casting is still up in the air for the film, despite some of the goofy rumors floating around; at one time or another Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney, and Jason Statham were all attached to the project. But, Miller gets the distinction of being the first actor to officially sign on to a big-screen version of a toy commercial. Paramount hopes to begin shooting this February. G.I. Joe is set for release on August 7th, 2009.

I wish this was a cruel joke, but apparently it's not. In a recent Hollywood Reporter article that talks about toy companies and the various film and TV deals they have in the works, they mention that Mattel is "in talks with Hollywood partners to turn Magic 8 Ball into a theatrical release ..." Yes, the round black ball you ask questions to, while shaking and waiting for a little plastic thing to tell you the answer. They want to somehow make that into a movie. A real movie. About a Magic 8 Ball. Is it just me, or has Mattel handed over all their properties to some guy sprinkled with idiot dust? Mattel, who are obviously foaming at the mouth after watching Hasbro's Transformers take the world by storm, are now actively pursuing a number of different avenues.

Apart from the aforementioned (and brilliant) Magic 8 Ball idea, they're still looking to push Barbie and Hot Wheels onto the big screen even though the option with Sony Pictures expired this year. Mattel is also looking to do something with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe; a project that was recently rescued by Warner Bros. and supposedly has Joel Silver attached as producer. As we previously told you, Hasbro is also exploring their options on future big or small screen projects revolving around such brands as Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit (good TV show), Ouija Board, Monopoly and Clue (which was already turned into a movie). Let's not forget Paramount's plans to do something with G.I. Joe as well. Oh, and the article also mentions a Bratz sequel. Yay! Are there any other toys or games you'd like to see up on the big screen?

I met a guy on my street last night who named his dog Sequel. Of course right off the bat he knew who I named my dog after (hint: she's a princess in a galaxy far, far away), and I told him if he should get another dog, why not name it Threequel. We laughed. Ha Ha. And then on the way back to my apartment Indiana Jones 4 popped into my head. Is there a name for all those fourth installments out there? Are they simply called fourquels? That sounds weird; kind of like medicine you take to keep you out of the bathroom. But anyway, Indiana Jones 4 is gearing up to have some kind of presence at San Diego ComicCon, and someone has already snatched up the first pic of an Indy 4 display on the Con floor. Major props go out to the guy or girl who risked their job (I imagine) to snap the photo you see to the right of your screen (click on it for a larger version courtesy of SlashFilm).

We're being told this display is part of the Hasbro booth on the main ComicCon floor. Additionally, Star Wars boxes are lying beside it -- although you cannot make out what's in the boxes. It's already been announced that Hasbro will launch an entire line of action figures, vehicles and games that will most likely tie into the upcoming movie. As we can see, there looks to be a miniature temple of sorts inside the glass case -- one I'm sure will play a pivotal role in the film. Notice how it just says Indiana Jones underneath, minus a title. I wonder if the title will be part of a panel discussion, or if Spielberg and Co. aren't ready to give it up just yet. From what we've been hearing, they're currently using the working title Indiana Jones and the City of Gods. The ComicCon madness begins tomorrow, and Indiana Jones 4 will hit theaters on May 22, 2008.

Bonus trivia question: Name all the movie franchises that stopped after the fourth installment.

Who knew that toy companies had agents? This is what I wondered earlier this month when Variety reported that Hasbro had switched from CAA to William Morris. Then, it was announced that the switch would lead to a live-action G.I. Joe movie and a "contemporizing" of brands such as Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Ouiji, Candy Land and Monopoly. We've already seen a great movie made out of one of those games (Clue) and the Ouiji board features in countless scary movies. Now there's word from Down Under (their source is the Sunday Times of London) that Monopoly will be made into a major motion picture, and it will actually be directed by the great Ridley Scott. Oh, and it may have a lot of big stars, as Hasbro has been promised by the agency that the movie will feature the cream of the crop of William Morris' talent. According to the article, Scarlett Johansson and Kirsten Dunst have already been offered roles. Hmmm, is today the Australian equivalent of April Fool's Day or something?

I don't doubt that Monopoly could be a movie, but I do wonder if it could be an entertaining one. Despite the fact that the game is the most popular board game in the world, it is also one of the most time-consuming, most unfinished (I'm guessing) and most boring (I'd much rather play Trivial Pursuit or Candy Land). I can only imagine that Monopoly: The Movie would be about 3 hours long and filled with non-cinematic scenes involving lengthy real estate deals. Maybe, just maybe, if they can get Wilfred Brimley as Uncle Pennybags and then adapt the thimble playing piece into cute a CGI character, then I would check it out, but otherwise I just don't see it being any good. Scott, who directed Alien and Blade Runner and Gladiator and Thelma and Louise, for goodness sakes, hopefully has too much else in the pipeline to bother with directing Monopoly (he might only be a producer on the thing), such as another collaboration with Russell Crowe, this one involving Robin Hood, called Nottingham. He also has on his plate Body of Lies (aka Penetration) with Leonardo DiCaprio, a thriller called Child 44 and a western called Blood Meridian. His latest, American Gangster, opens this fall. I guess for a whole lot of money he could be wooed off these great projects for a board game adaptation, but he might want to make sure that money is real. It could be ...

[via Fark.com]

Variety is reporting that Hasbro is switching agencies -- from CAA to William Morris -- just as Transformers (based on a line of one of Hasbro's most successful toys) gears up to arrive in theaters on July 3. The article, which goes on to say that William Morris will "work on contemporizing" Hasbro brands like Monopoly, Ouija, Candy Land, Clue and Trivial Pursuit, also includes one juicy nugget regarding a live-action G.I. Joe movie. According to Variety, "[WMA] reupped Hasbro's deal with Paramount Pictures to turn G.I. Joe into a live-action feature with Lorenzo di Bonaventura to produce. An initial pact had expired."

Based on a recent script review over at Latino Review, it may have been best for all parties to let that sucker expire. The draft they reviewed was apparently one penned by Skip Woods (Swordfish) and, without going into too much detail, lets just say the main villain in the film is a guy named Cool Dude. Seriously. Way back when it was reported that di Bonaventura wanted to make a buddy flick featuring Action Man (based on the British toy) and G.I. Joe -- I believe the reasoning here was to make it so the film appealed to international audiences. We're not sure if this is still the route they're leaning toward, whether or not Woods is still attached, or if an entirely new script (and writer) is currently being sought. Rarely have I seen LR bash a script like this ("I hated what Skip Woods did to G.I. JOE so passionately that I burned the script in my barbecue over the weekend. I am trying to erase the memory that I wasted two hours reading the biggest and most disrespectful piece of sh*t script I have ever reviewed for this column), and so I'm hoping Paramount and di Bonaventura do a little bit more homework before messing with these iconic characters in a way that could completely ruin the brand. Fingers crossed.