Back when The Emoji Movie came out, or even when it was first announced, there was a sentiment that found a home amongst the murmurs of disgruntled moviegoers. The thought was, in so many words, "looks like they'll make a movie about anything nowadays." At that point, it was simply a less-than-optimistic jab at some of the more low-brow offerings from Hollywood. But maybe somebody misheard and took it as a challenge. On that note, somebody's making a Play-Doh movie.
That's correct, it's a movie about the salty gunk that kids everywhere play with and try to convince their parents they didn't eat. Well, it's not just somebody. In fact, the upcoming project actually has some pretty impressive talent behind it, though it's unfortunately not in the "they can make a perfect cube without using that little knife" kind of way. Hasbro seems to have some high hopes for its soft and squishy cinematic future, so it's bringing in a high-profile director and Oscar-nominated writer to get things going.
According to Deadline, the animated film will feature a script penned by The Big Sick writer Emily V. Gordon. What she'll think up is anyone's guess. But if somebody's going to make a movie about Play-Doh, it might as well be a celebrated and award-worthy writing mind like Gordon. She'll be joined by Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu, who is currently signed on as a producer. Luckily, it appears that he will also end up directing.
Gordon earned a number of nominations for her work on 2017's The Big Sick, which she created together with her husband, actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani. The film was based on the couple's own relationship and featured Judd Apatow in the director's chair, eventually earning the duo an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. Aside from writing, she has served as co-host for several podcasts and producer for a number of comedy shows such as The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail.
Aside from directing Crazy Rich Asians, Chu also helmed the 2021 film version of In The Heights, which was based on a stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes. The movie earned him the honor of Best Filmmaker from the Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards. He's also set to direct the upcoming movie adaptation of the popular musical Wicked, as well as Oh, The Places You'll Go!, based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name.
All that talent for a Play-Doh movie. It's one thing for Hasbro to keep cranking out new entries in the Transformers franchise, but this seems like another beast entirely. Still, people are probably morbidly curious, right? After all, with Gordon and Chu on board, there's got to be something there.
The Play-Doh movie is in development at eOne and Hasbro.
Source: Deadline