‘Real Steel’ Heads Hollywood Gamble on Board Game Movies

Books have been made into movies. Video games have been made into movies. Even theme park rides have been made into movies -- with remarkable results.

So why not board games?

Why not, indeed. After all, pioneering 1985 adaptation Clue is firmly established as a cult classic -- and while this week's new robot-boxing release 'Real Steel' doesn't carry an official Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots license, it's widely held to be nigh-indistinguishable from the legendary board game/toy.

Bizarre though it might be, 'Real Steel' is proving to be a hit with critics , but this is just the start. Led by a high-stakes deal between board game maker Hasbro and Universal Pictures and boasting the involvement of big names like Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, and Liam Neeson, a slew of family classics are set to head from cardboard to celluloid over the next few years.

Battleship

Sailing into port in May of next year, this Universal project boasts Hancock director Peter Berg's hand on the tiller. Floppy-haired Canuck hunk Taylor Kitsch, recently seen as Gambit in the 2009 Wolverine movie, stars as hotshot naval officer Alex Hopper; curvy model Brooklyn Decker takes the role of Hopper's love interest. Liam Neeson also pops up, playing Hopper's commanding officer -- who, as luck would have it, also happens to be Decker's pa.

A recipe for an angsty military-family drama? That's certainly Battleship's initial heading, but expect a radical change of course when the U.S. fleet gets attacked by a very large, very expensive-looking alien ship. You can probably fill in the rest of the plot yourself.

If you're wondering what all that has to do with the board game, you're not the only one. But if that's what it takes to get a naval combat movie made in the 21st century, so be it. Just, please, give us at least one shot of Neeson, wracked with pain and suffering, saying "Damn you, you alien bastards...you sunk my battleship."

Monopoly

Hollywood's been angling to produce a Monopoly movie for years, but it wasn't until Ridley Scott signed the lease in 2007 that people began to take it seriously. Unfortunately, the rent on this particular property apparently proved too high for Universal Studios, which cut the project loose in an August round of bloodletting. Fellow board game names Ouija and a planned Clue remake were also casualties.

Undaunted, Scott and Hasbro are apparently pressing ahead with Monopoly without Universal, last month hiring the scriptwriting duo behind 'The People vs. Larry Flin' and 'Ed Wood' to pen the script.They'd certainly fit with the project's rumored quirky, black-comedy tones.

Candy Land

Candy Land (Hasbro)

The saccharine-sweet landscape of simple 1940s creation Candy Land doesn't seem like it'd be rich with opportunities for dramatic intrigue, but, undaunted, Universal seems to be pressing ahead with its movie adaptation of the childrens' classic. Writer Jonathan Aibel ('Kung Fu Panda 2', 'King of the Hill)' told EW he envisions the movie as "Lord of The Rings, but set in a world of candy," which has to rank as one of the oddest ideas we've heard in quite some time.

Was Aibel yanking our chains? Quite possibly not, which means it could just be a matter of time before watching Mr. Gingerbread Man attempting to cast the One Life Saver into the fiery depths of Gum Drop Mountain...and if that thought isn't enough for you to give the project the benefit of the doubt, you're a real sourpuss.

Risk

Although Risk was actually created by a film-maker back in 1957, it took an entire half-century before anyone had the bright idea of turning it into a move. Originally floated by Sony Pictures in 2009, a June announcement put 'Underworld Awakening' and 'The Shield' writer John Hlavin in the frame for the screenplay. Hlavin's concept is described as a modern-day globe-trotting action thriller — and with any luck he's already thought to swap Risk's riveting dice-rolling combat for something a little more cinematic.

Stretch Armstrong

Stretch Armstrong (Hasbro)

A board game? OK, so that's a bit of a, uh, stretch. But classic '70s toy Stretch Armstrong is also on his way to our movie screens -- or so we think.

Armstrong was another cog in the Universal/Hasbro deal, and though the two put ink to paper back in 2008, movement on the project has been sloooow. Still, it does have a few names attached, chief among them being 'Twilight' hearthrob Taylor Lautner. Rumors of its demise were floating around earlier this year, but according to statements made by Lautner last month, it's still alive. Will he still be as hunky when he has fifty-foot arms? Expect to find out in the next few years.

Monsterpocalypse

Compared to Monopoly and Battleship, this little-known 2008 board game is a mere slip of a thing -- but its theme, which sees players taking control of skyscraper-sized robots to do battle with equally giant city-smashing monsters, is ripe for a disaster-movie adaptation.

That fact hasn't been lost on Dreamworks, which has tapped director Tim Burton to lead an upcoming project based on the game. Frequent Burton collaborator John August is handling the screenplay (the pair last worked together on 'The Corpse Bride' and Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'), while Oscar-winner Ken Ralston will oversee the all-important special effects, presumably with a monster-sized budget.

As Godzilla fans will tell you, it's hard to go too far wrong with a movie predicated on giant monsters smashing up cities. And it's hard not to be impressed with the film's lineup of talent, regardless of whether or not you've heard of the board game. Look for it no earlier than late 2012.

Source: Click Here

‘Real Steel’ Heads Hollywood Gamble on Board Game Movies

Books have been made into movies. Video games have been made into movies. Even theme park rides have been made into movies -- with remarkable results.

So why not board games?

Why not, indeed. After all, pioneering 1985 adaptation Clue is firmly established as a cult classic -- and while this week's new robot-boxing release 'Real Steel' doesn't carry an official Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots license, it's widely held to be nigh-indistinguishable from the legendary board game/toy.

Bizarre though it might be, 'Real Steel' is proving to be a hit with critics , but this is just the start. Led by a high-stakes deal between board game maker Hasbro and Universal Pictures and boasting the involvement of big names like Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, and Liam Neeson, a slew of family classics are set to head from cardboard to celluloid over the next few years.

Battleship

Sailing into port in May of next year, this Universal project boasts Hancock director Peter Berg's hand on the tiller. Floppy-haired Canuck hunk Taylor Kitsch, recently seen as Gambit in the 2009 Wolverine movie, stars as hotshot naval officer Alex Hopper; curvy model Brooklyn Decker takes the role of Hopper's love interest. Liam Neeson also pops up, playing Hopper's commanding officer -- who, as luck would have it, also happens to be Decker's pa.

A recipe for an angsty military-family drama? That's certainly Battleship's initial heading, but expect a radical change of course when the U.S. fleet gets attacked by a very large, very expensive-looking alien ship. You can probably fill in the rest of the plot yourself.

If you're wondering what all that has to do with the board game, you're not the only one. But if that's what it takes to get a naval combat movie made in the 21st century, so be it. Just, please, give us at least one shot of Neeson, wracked with pain and suffering, saying "Damn you, you alien bastards...you sunk my battleship."

Monopoly

Hollywood's been angling to produce a Monopoly movie for years, but it wasn't until Ridley Scott signed the lease in 2007 that people began to take it seriously. Unfortunately, the rent on this particular property apparently proved too high for Universal Studios, which cut the project loose in an August round of bloodletting. Fellow board game names Ouija and a planned Clue remake were also casualties.

Undaunted, Scott and Hasbro are apparently pressing ahead with Monopoly without Universal, last month hiring the scriptwriting duo behind 'The People vs. Larry Flin' and 'Ed Wood' to pen the script.They'd certainly fit with the project's rumored quirky, black-comedy tones.

Candy Land

Candy Land (Hasbro)

The saccharine-sweet landscape of simple 1940s creation Candy Land doesn't seem like it'd be rich with opportunities for dramatic intrigue, but, undaunted, Universal seems to be pressing ahead with its movie adaptation of the childrens' classic. Writer Jonathan Aibel ('Kung Fu Panda 2', 'King of the Hill)' told EW he envisions the movie as "Lord of The Rings, but set in a world of candy," which has to rank as one of the oddest ideas we've heard in quite some time.

Was Aibel yanking our chains? Quite possibly not, which means it could just be a matter of time before watching Mr. Gingerbread Man attempting to cast the One Life Saver into the fiery depths of Gum Drop Mountain...and if that thought isn't enough for you to give the project the benefit of the doubt, you're a real sourpuss.

Risk

Although Risk was actually created by a film-maker back in 1957, it took an entire half-century before anyone had the bright idea of turning it into a move. Originally floated by Sony Pictures in 2009, a June announcement put 'Underworld Awakening' and 'The Shield' writer John Hlavin in the frame for the screenplay. Hlavin's concept is described as a modern-day globe-trotting action thriller — and with any luck he's already thought to swap Risk's riveting dice-rolling combat for something a little more cinematic.

Stretch Armstrong

Stretch Armstrong (Hasbro)

A board game? OK, so that's a bit of a, uh, stretch. But classic '70s toy Stretch Armstrong is also on his way to our movie screens -- or so we think.

Armstrong was another cog in the Universal/Hasbro deal, and though the two put ink to paper back in 2008, movement on the project has been sloooow. Still, it does have a few names attached, chief among them being 'Twilight' hearthrob Taylor Lautner. Rumors of its demise were floating around earlier this year, but according to statements made by Lautner last month, it's still alive. Will he still be as hunky when he has fifty-foot arms? Expect to find out in the next few years.

Monsterpocalypse

Compared to Monopoly and Battleship, this little-known 2008 board game is a mere slip of a thing -- but its theme, which sees players taking control of skyscraper-sized robots to do battle with equally giant city-smashing monsters, is ripe for a disaster-movie adaptation.

That fact hasn't been lost on Dreamworks, which has tapped director Tim Burton to lead an upcoming project based on the game. Frequent Burton collaborator John August is handling the screenplay (the pair last worked together on 'The Corpse Bride' and Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'), while Oscar-winner Ken Ralston will oversee the all-important special effects, presumably with a monster-sized budget.

As Godzilla fans will tell you, it's hard to go too far wrong with a movie predicated on giant monsters smashing up cities. And it's hard not to be impressed with the film's lineup of talent, regardless of whether or not you've heard of the board game. Look for it no earlier than late 2012.

Source: Click Here

Transformers Dark of the Moon : Transformers 3 Cars List

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

Transformers Dark of the Moon or Transformers 3 is the third film in the Transformers film series, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg.

It is the sequel to Transformers and Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. Transformers Dark of the Moon will be presented in regular 2D, Real D 3D, and IMAX, featuring Dolby Surround 7.1 sound.

Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro are set to reprise their starring roles, with Peter Cullen returning as the voice of Optimus Prime. Ehren Kruger, who collaborated in the writing of the second film, was again involved in the writing. Despite having initially been confirmed for the film, and with the film already into principal photography, it was announced that Megan Fox would not be reprising her role from the previous two films. With Fox’s character Mikaela being dropped, Sam was assigned a new love interest, who will be played by English model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Also, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, having written the first two films, did not return for the third installment in the series, which Orci had earlier somewhat anticipated, fearing the duo would “risk getting stale”. Bay has stated this would be his last installment in the series.

This are some pictures of the Transformers Dark of the Moon cars – Transformers 3 Cars backstage, and we can see some new car models and updates for the Transformers 3.

Transformers 3 Cars List:

Autobots Transformers 3 Cars:

Optimus Prime : Blue Peterbilt 379 truck with red flame decals.

Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime, the Autobot leader. While he retains his vehicle mode of a blue Peterbilt 379 truck with red flame decals, he has been added a trailer similar to his Generation 1 counterpart, and has been redesigned to look more heroic. Optimus can combine with his trailer and gain a third transformation mode.

Optimus Prime - Blue Peterbilt 379 truck Transformers 3 Cars

Sentinel Prime : Fire rescue truck.
Leonard Nimoy voices Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime’s predecessor who turns into a Rosenbauer Panther Airport crash tender fire truck. Sentinel Prime is seen as the Autobot in stasis on the Ark in the teaser trailer. Nimoy provided the voice for Galvatron in The Transformers: The Movie and had been considered for voicing The Fallen in Revenge of the Fallen.

Sentinel Prime - Fire rescue truck Transformers 3 Cars

Bumblebee : fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.
Bumblebee, Sam’s guardian that turns into a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Bumblebee has also gone through some changes, his vehicle mode featuring a new body kit and paint job, and designers modifying him to look more mature.

Bumblebee - fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro Transformers 3 Cars

Ironhide : GMC Topkick.

Ironhide, the Autobot weapons specialist who transforms into a GMC Topkick.

Ironhide - GMC Topkick Transformers 3 Cars

Ratchet : Search and rescue Hummer H2.
Ratchet, the Autobot medic who transforms into a search and rescue Hummer H2. Ratchet also had some changes done to his vehicle form, as he has been painted green and white.

Ratchet - Search and rescue Hummer H2 Transformers 3 Cars List

Sideswipe : Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
Sideswipe, the Autobot whose vehicle mode is a silver Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, now upgraded into a convertible.

Sideswipe - Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Transformers 3 Cars

Mirage : Red Ferrari 458 Italia.
Mirage, an Autobot who will debut as a red Ferrari 458 Italia.

Mirage - Red Ferrari 458 Italia Transformers 3 Cars

Silverbolt :
James Avery will provide the voice of Silverbolt.
Wreckers : heavily armed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars.
The Wreckers, an Autobot sub-team that transform into heavily armed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars equipped with machine guns. They function as a Commando Unit. Bill Fagerbakke will voice one of them. The Wreckers are:

• Leadfoot, a Juan Pablo Montoya #42 Target car.

Juan Pablo Montoya NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

• Roadbuster, a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. #88 AMP Energy/National Guard car.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

• Topspin, a Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt car.

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

Wheelie :

Wheelie, a former Decepticon returns from his debut in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Brains :
Brains, a small and intelligent Autobot who built Sam’s grappling gun glove.
Blue Mercedes-Benz W212:
A blue Mercedes-Benz W212 will debut as an Autobot inventor, whose design resembles Albert Einstein.

Blue Mercedes-Benz W212 Transformers 3 Cars

Skids :  Chevrolet Sparks.

Despite Michael Bay’s initial denial of their return, the Twins, Skids and Mudflap, were once intended to appear in the film, restyled to both transform into black Chevrolet Sparks with green and orange stripes respectively. Scenes were even shot for them, and their toys were released in the official toy line, but they have allegedly been dropped from the film’s final cut.

Skids - Chevrolet Sparks Green Transformers 3 Cars

Mudflap : Chevrolet Trax.

Mudflap - Chevrolet Trax Transformers 3 Cars

Decepticons Transformers 3 Cars.

Megatron : Armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck.
Megatron, the Decepticon Leader. He has changed his vehicle mode to an armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck equipped with heavy weaponry. Due to the events from the last movie Megatron will hide half of his face by using a cowl.

Megatron - Armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck Transformers 3 Cars

Shockwave : Cybertronian tank.
Shockwave, who transforms into a Cybertronian tank and will act as the main villain of the film. Corey Burton, who performed Shockwave’s voice in all of Shockwave’s major animated appearances was offered the role, but he declined it, so David Warner is being considered to voice him. Shockwave has been imprisoned underneath Chernobyl for years and is now seeking revenge from his captors and enemies.

Starscream : F-22 Raptor.
Starscream, the air commander who transforms into an F-22 Raptor.

Starscream F-22 Raptor Transformers 3

Soundwave : Silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Soundwave, Megatron’s communication officer, now transforms into a silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
o Laserbeak, Soundwave’s minion that resembles a mechanical condor and transforms into a Gyrodyne.

Soundwave - Silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Transformers 3 Cars

Decepticon : Security truck.
A Decepticon has been revealed to turn into a Superfund armored security truck.

Crankcase : Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicles.
Crankcase, Crowbar and Hatchet, a group of Decepticon clones known as The Dreads that turn into Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicles.

Crankcase - Chevrolet Suburban Transformers 3 Cars

Source : Click Here

Transformers Dark of the Moon : Transformers 3 Cars List

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

Transformers Dark of the Moon or Transformers 3 is the third film in the Transformers film series, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg.

It is the sequel to Transformers and Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. Transformers Dark of the Moon will be presented in regular 2D, Real D 3D, and IMAX, featuring Dolby Surround 7.1 sound.

Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro are set to reprise their starring roles, with Peter Cullen returning as the voice of Optimus Prime. Ehren Kruger, who collaborated in the writing of the second film, was again involved in the writing. Despite having initially been confirmed for the film, and with the film already into principal photography, it was announced that Megan Fox would not be reprising her role from the previous two films. With Fox’s character Mikaela being dropped, Sam was assigned a new love interest, who will be played by English model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Also, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, having written the first two films, did not return for the third installment in the series, which Orci had earlier somewhat anticipated, fearing the duo would “risk getting stale”. Bay has stated this would be his last installment in the series.

This are some pictures of the Transformers Dark of the Moon cars – Transformers 3 Cars backstage, and we can see some new car models and updates for the Transformers 3.

Transformers 3 Cars List:

Autobots Transformers 3 Cars:

Optimus Prime : Blue Peterbilt 379 truck with red flame decals.

Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime, the Autobot leader. While he retains his vehicle mode of a blue Peterbilt 379 truck with red flame decals, he has been added a trailer similar to his Generation 1 counterpart, and has been redesigned to look more heroic. Optimus can combine with his trailer and gain a third transformation mode.

Optimus Prime - Blue Peterbilt 379 truck Transformers 3 Cars

Sentinel Prime : Fire rescue truck.
Leonard Nimoy voices Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime’s predecessor who turns into a Rosenbauer Panther Airport crash tender fire truck. Sentinel Prime is seen as the Autobot in stasis on the Ark in the teaser trailer. Nimoy provided the voice for Galvatron in The Transformers: The Movie and had been considered for voicing The Fallen in Revenge of the Fallen.

Sentinel Prime - Fire rescue truck Transformers 3 Cars

Bumblebee : fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.
Bumblebee, Sam’s guardian that turns into a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Bumblebee has also gone through some changes, his vehicle mode featuring a new body kit and paint job, and designers modifying him to look more mature.

Bumblebee - fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro Transformers 3 Cars

Ironhide : GMC Topkick.

Ironhide, the Autobot weapons specialist who transforms into a GMC Topkick.

Ironhide - GMC Topkick Transformers 3 Cars

Ratchet : Search and rescue Hummer H2.
Ratchet, the Autobot medic who transforms into a search and rescue Hummer H2. Ratchet also had some changes done to his vehicle form, as he has been painted green and white.

Ratchet - Search and rescue Hummer H2 Transformers 3 Cars List

Sideswipe : Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
Sideswipe, the Autobot whose vehicle mode is a silver Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, now upgraded into a convertible.

Sideswipe - Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Transformers 3 Cars

Mirage : Red Ferrari 458 Italia.
Mirage, an Autobot who will debut as a red Ferrari 458 Italia.

Mirage - Red Ferrari 458 Italia Transformers 3 Cars

Silverbolt :
James Avery will provide the voice of Silverbolt.
Wreckers : heavily armed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars.
The Wreckers, an Autobot sub-team that transform into heavily armed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars equipped with machine guns. They function as a Commando Unit. Bill Fagerbakke will voice one of them. The Wreckers are:

• Leadfoot, a Juan Pablo Montoya #42 Target car.

Juan Pablo Montoya NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

• Roadbuster, a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. #88 AMP Energy/National Guard car.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

• Topspin, a Jimmie Johnson #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt car.

Jimmie Johnson NASCAR Transformers 3 Cars

Wheelie :

Wheelie, a former Decepticon returns from his debut in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Brains :
Brains, a small and intelligent Autobot who built Sam’s grappling gun glove.
Blue Mercedes-Benz W212:
A blue Mercedes-Benz W212 will debut as an Autobot inventor, whose design resembles Albert Einstein.

Blue Mercedes-Benz W212 Transformers 3 Cars

Skids :  Chevrolet Sparks.

Despite Michael Bay’s initial denial of their return, the Twins, Skids and Mudflap, were once intended to appear in the film, restyled to both transform into black Chevrolet Sparks with green and orange stripes respectively. Scenes were even shot for them, and their toys were released in the official toy line, but they have allegedly been dropped from the film’s final cut.

Skids - Chevrolet Sparks Green Transformers 3 Cars

Mudflap : Chevrolet Trax.

Mudflap - Chevrolet Trax Transformers 3 Cars

Decepticons Transformers 3 Cars.

Megatron : Armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck.
Megatron, the Decepticon Leader. He has changed his vehicle mode to an armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck equipped with heavy weaponry. Due to the events from the last movie Megatron will hide half of his face by using a cowl.

Megatron - Armored rusty Mack Titan 10-wheeler fuel tank truck Transformers 3 Cars

Shockwave : Cybertronian tank.
Shockwave, who transforms into a Cybertronian tank and will act as the main villain of the film. Corey Burton, who performed Shockwave’s voice in all of Shockwave’s major animated appearances was offered the role, but he declined it, so David Warner is being considered to voice him. Shockwave has been imprisoned underneath Chernobyl for years and is now seeking revenge from his captors and enemies.

Starscream : F-22 Raptor.
Starscream, the air commander who transforms into an F-22 Raptor.

Starscream F-22 Raptor Transformers 3

Soundwave : Silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Soundwave, Megatron’s communication officer, now transforms into a silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
o Laserbeak, Soundwave’s minion that resembles a mechanical condor and transforms into a Gyrodyne.

Soundwave - Silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Transformers 3 Cars

Decepticon : Security truck.
A Decepticon has been revealed to turn into a Superfund armored security truck.

Crankcase : Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicles.
Crankcase, Crowbar and Hatchet, a group of Decepticon clones known as The Dreads that turn into Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicles.

Crankcase - Chevrolet Suburban Transformers 3 Cars

Source : Click Here