Mattel and MGM are currently developing a movie based on the iconicView-Mastertoy. No writers or directors have been announced at this time. However, it has been revealed that the movie will be live-action. This is the second project to be announced with MGM and Mattel after revealing earlier this month that they are collaborating on anAmerican Girlmovie based on the famous toy dolls. No release date or production start has been announced for theView-Masterlive-action movie.
TheView-Masteris a stereoscopetoythat has been around for over 75 years. The storytelling tool has been used in a variety of different settings over the years and is now looking at a big screen adaptation. It is unclear just how the device will be utilized in the storyline at this time. Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group had this to say about theView-Mastermovie.
“View-Master was the first device that allowed families all over the world to escape their reality and take them places they never thought they could go. We couldn’t be more excited to partner withMattelto create a family adventure integrating the old school turn and click stereotypic device with the modern world of virtual reality.”
TheView-Masterhas broken into theworld of VRover the years, which will be an aspect of the movie. While the VR version of the toy is pretty cool, it’s not as great as the original toy in a lot of ways, but mainly because it lacks the simplicity that makes the regular version so universal. While the idea does seem a bit strange for a movie, this isn’t the first time that the concept has been in development.
Back in 2009, DreamWorks was working on aView-Mastermovie withFringewriter Brad Caleb Kane on board to write the script and Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman attached to produce. However,nothing ever came of that View-Master project, which brings us to MGM and Mattel’s latest announcement. The storyline for the first project involved users getting sucked into the world that they were viewing through the toy, which sounds a bit like theJumanjifranchise. With that being said, it is unclear if MGM and Mattel will keep that story for their upcomingView-Mastermovie.
Mattel is trying to get into the big screen adaptation world in a big way. In addition to theView-MasterandAmerican Doll movies, the toy company is making aHot Wheelsmovie and aBarbiemovie with actress Margot Robbie attached to star and produce. Mattel movie chief Robbie Brenner has even teased a Magic 8 Ball movie. Plus, they are still trying to get theMasters of the Universemovie off of the ground, which has been in development hell for many years now. Hopefully theView-Mastermovie doesn’t suffer the same fate.Deadlinewas the first to report theView-Mastermovie news. Additional information about the project should drop in the coming months.
