Mattel and Blumhouse's Magic 8-Ball (Jeff Wadlow to direct)

[Creed]

EXCLUSIVE: Mattel announced today that the live-action feature version based on their popular toy Magic 8 Ball is finally happening with Oscar-winning studio Blumhouse and Truth or Dare and Fantasy Island director Jeff Wadlow attached.

Wadlow will also write the script with his collaborators, Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach. This marks Mattel Film’s first partnership with an independent studio.

“Since the 1950s, Magic 8 Ball has inspired imagination, suspense and intrigue across generations. This iconic toy has a built-in connection with fans and untapped potential for storytelling,” said Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films. “There are no partners better suited to tell the Magic 8 Ball story in collaboration with Mattel Films than Jeff Wadlow and Blumhouse Productions, whose unique approach to the thriller genre has captivated audiences worldwide and has gained widespread accolades.”

“As fans of Mattel and their iconic brands, we’re looking forward to bringing Magic 8 Ball, one of their most celebrated toys, to life, and playing against expectations in doing so,” said Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions. “We look forward to partnering with Mattel Films to put this project on the fast track to the big screen and create a memorable experience for moviegoers.”

Magic 8 Ball is the sixth project Mattel Films has in development. The studio has plans to create feature films based on Mattel’s Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, American Girl and View Master brands. The iconic, fortune-telling Magic 8 Ball was selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest toys of all time.

Blumhouse Productions counts more than $3 billion at the global box office from its library. The studio is known for pioneering a new model of studio filmmaking, with its focus on high-quality, micro-budget films. Last weekend, Blumhouse’s thriller Ma, made for $5M before P&A, amassed an $18.26M opening. Throughout the last decade, Blumhouse has built such franchises as Happy Death Day, The Purge, Insidious, Ouija and Paranormal Activity. Blumhouse was behind such Oscar-winning movies as Get Out from Jordan Peele (best original screenplay), BlacKkKlansman (best adapted screenplay) and Whiplash (best supporting actor, film editing, sound mixing).

Wadlow’s Truth or Dare grossed over $95M worldwide off a $3.5M estimated production cost. Wadlow is repped by UTA, Artists First and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.

Nine years ago, Magic 8 Ball was in development over at Paramount with Jon Gunn and John Mann writing.

Uh....

[kylor]

Will I watch this movie?

*Shakes my magic 8 ball*

All signs point to yes!

[Himmel]

Still waiting for Candyland movie.

[octagon]

I hope the movie addresses this burning question: were they a lot heavier and better made fifty years ago or were they always cheap, light plastic and just seemed like bowling balls because I was like six

[kylor]

Originally Posted by octagon

I hope the movie addresses this burning question: were they a lot heavier and better made fifty years ago or were they always cheap, light plastic and just seemed like bowling balls because I was like six

I believe that the design has always been plastic and they haven't really changed in size. It's like adult clothing. When you're a kid, the clothes are huge! But when you're an adult, they are just regular.

[DanTheMan]

Truth or Dare and Fantasy Island director Jeff Wadlow attached.

Outlook not so good. Try again later.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by kylor

I believe that the design has always been plastic and they haven't really changed in size. It's like adult clothing. When you're a kid, the clothes are huge! But when you're an adult, they are just regular.

It's more the heft that seems different. I remember them being made of a heavy, indestructible Bakelite kind of material.

But yeah, I was six

[kylor]

Originally Posted by octagon

It's more the heft that seems different. I remember them being made of a heavy, indestructible Bakelite kind of material.

But yeah, I was six

As far as I know they were always manufactured as plastic with blue dye and alcohol. There could have possibly been a wave of different versions from another brand that were made of different materials, but I'm pretty sure the one from Mattel has always been plastic.

[MifuneFan]

Blumhouse has a formula that's paid off big for them,and surely one other studios will be trying to replicate. Even if the movie sucks, they'll still likely make money off if it.

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by DanTheMan

Outlook not so good. Try again later.

Took the words out of my mouth.

[mrjeff]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Blumhouse has a formula that's paid off big for them,and surely one other studios will be trying to replicate. Even if the movie sucks, they'll still likely make money off if it.

That's cuz they pay the production crew in peanuts.

[kylor]

Originally Posted by mrjeff

That's cuz they pay the production crew in peanuts.

I bet every single person working on the movie gets a free magic 8 ball.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Blumhouse has a formula that's paid off big for them,and surely one other studios will be trying to replicate. Even if the movie sucks, they'll still likely make money off if it.

Originally Posted by mrjeff

That's cuz they pay the production crew in peanuts.

What Blumhouse is doing is nothing new. Roger Corman is legendary for this particular formula. The difference is that Blumhouse movies aren't shot in a week or less.

[Zillamon51]

This sounds like a parody.