Toymaker Mattel has already begun its move into the feature film business. Like Hasbro, with its “Transformers” series, Mattel is attempting to license out some of its classic IPs in hopes of making hundreds of millions of dollars in box office. The company has already begun work on films like “Barbie” and “Hot Wheels.” However, for Mattel’s next foray into film, the company is dusting off an old childhood favorite, the View-Master.
That’s right, the binocular-style toy that allowed you to see 3D images of famous destinations and whatnot is about to be turned into a film, according to THR. How MGM is going to translate this classic toy into a full narrative feature is anyone’s guess, but in the age of “The LEGO Movie,” it would appear that anything is possible.
“Since the 1940s, View-Master has inspired wonder and joy in children of all ages, creating huge opportunities for storytelling,” said Robbie Brenner, Mattel’s head of film. “MGM Pictures has tremendous expertise and a proven track record in capturing audiences’ imagination through film, and we’re proud to be partnering with them to bring another Mattel franchise to theaters. This marks another important milestone as we transform Mattel into an IP-driven, high-performing toy company.”
Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s motion picture group president, said, “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 with Mattel to create a family adventure integrating the old school turn and click stereotypic device with the modern world of virtual reality.”
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There’s not much else to report about this film, as a writer has yet to be chosen and a director is still a ways off. However, film fans can begin the eager anticipation of whatever Mattel and MGM have up their sleeves with a “View-Master” film.