Aside from video games, board games also get film and TV adaptations. One of them isClue(or Cluedo), which was first announced in 2021, then later in 2024 when it was revealedto be an animated series that Sony will release. Unfortunately, this board game project was unable to leave the tabletop setting as it was recently reported that the show was canceled.
Clue’swriterDewayne Perkinsrevealed in an interview that the show was canceled but didn’t give any reason why that was the case. He also didn’t shed light on whether anyone else would pick up the project or what was going to happen to the IP. In 2021, it was reported that Fox was developing the Clue TV series, as it partnered with Hasbro and Bento Box Entertainment to make the series. But by 2024, the film and TV rights moved to Sony, thanks to a new deal made by Hasbro, TriStar Pictures, and Sony Pictures Group.
This isn’t the first time Clue was adapted to the big screen. In 1985, a film adaptation ofCluewas released. It was directed byJonathan Lynn(Yes Minister) and starredEileen Brennan (Private Benjamin),Tim Curry(The Rocky Horror Picture Show),Madeline Kahn(A Bug’s Life), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future),Michael McKean(Better Call Saul),Martin Mull(Arrested Development), andLesley Ann Warren (Desperate Housewives). The feature generated over $14 million worldwide and was praised by fans and critics alike, receiving a 72% average critics score and an 86% average audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
Were There Other Board Games That Received Screen Adaptations?
When you think of board game movies, the first that comes to mind isJumanji. While the 1995 and the2017 movieswere great, the board game only came out after the films were released. Not to mention, it was based on a 1981 children’s picture book byChris Van Allsburg.
Fortunately, there have been other board games that Hollywood was able to transform into a movie setting. One notable example is 2012’sBattleship,which featuredRihanna’s film debut. Unfortunately, this sci-fi take on this popular board game was poorly recieved by fans and critics alike, generating a 34% critics score and a 54% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
There are more board games on the way to becoming a motion picture. It was reported last year thatMargot Robbieis producing aMonopolymovie, featuringthe writers ofDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and there isa reality TV show in the works, thanks to Netflix.
The 1985 film adaptation ofCluecan be streamed on Pluto TV.
Source:The Direct,Variety,The Hollywood Reporter
