This is another article by Jeff Leins on www.newsinfilm.com
This is happening. Adam Sandler is set to produce, co-write, and star in Candy Land, Sony Pictures’ movie adaptation of the children’s board game.
“Saturday Night Live” contributor Robert Smigel will write the screenplay with Sandler, which is good news to the fan(s) of their last collaboration, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (also at Sony).
The plan is to start the script from scratch, abandoning a previous version by Kung Fu Panda writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who likened their attempt to the “Lord of the Rings” in terms of fantastical size and scope.
Sandler’s involvement certainly ups the wackiness quotient though, and, with his Happy Madison production company having a say, we’re likely to see cameos from his old friends. Rob Schneider as a gingerbread person. Nick Swardson as Mr. Mint. Kevin James as the voice of Gloppy the Molasses Monster. No doubt a sexy actress incredibly out of his league as Princess Lolly. Or, if Jack and Jill is any indication (of where we are as a society), Sandler will play them all in his journey to the Gum Drop Mountains. Happy Madison has been producing projects starring all of these buddies, including the lazy ensemble comedyGrown Ups and an upcoming sequel I hope is titled Grown Ups 2: More Lawn Chairs.
Hasbro, the toy company behind blockbusters like Transformers and G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (based on their products), has been developing the concept for years. A deal made with Universal nearly three years ago called for four toy movies. This summer’s Battleshipwas to be the first of many — it stars Rihanna, so you know it must be good. But Universal is wisely ending that agreement and has been systematically dumping Hasbro properties to any takers, including Candy Land to Sony. Kevin Lima (Enchanted) will still direct.
Earlier this week, Universal also purged their Stretch Armstrong movie, which was supposed to star Taylor Lautner and be directed by Rob Letterman (Gulliver’s Travels). Both are out as the project restarts at Relativity Media for a April 11, 2014 release. Which untalented, good-looking actor will sell out next? (I mean, if Channing Tatum isn’t available.)
In August, Universal also dropped a remake of Clue (with Pirates trilogy director Gore Verbinski attached) and an adaptation of Monopoly (with Ridley Scott attached to direct).Later the same month, McG’s Ouija board adventure was scrapped. A Magic: The Gatheringfilm never had much traction and was also cancelled.
Sadly, Sandler is one of the most consistent box office draws in the business. His goofy efforts regularly crack the $100 million mark domestically, and his only “flops” in the past decade came when he strayed from his fun-loving, formula (namely Spanglish, Reign Over Me). Even his bottom, the cross-dressing “comedy” Jack and Jill earned $73.4 million here, nearly recouping its investment. Adam Sandler in drag has made more money than the presumptive “Best Picture” winner. This is the world we live in. If only it were made of candy.
No comments:
Post a Comment