Magic: The Gathering Movie Moves Forward with Indie Director Set to Helm

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After years of anticipation, it seems that the much-desired “Magic: The Gathering” movie could potentially hit cinemas as a rising director is currently engaged in discussions to direct the production. First introduced in 1993, “Magic: The Gathering” is often recognized as one of the initial significant tabletop card games. Beyond question, it has been incredibly influential, transforming into a worldwide sensation and amassing $1 billion in global sales. The game itself has expanded to incorporate special crossover cards and packs from franchises like “Lord of the Rings”, “Doctor Who”, and “Spongebob Squarepants”. For quite some time, a movie based on this game has been in development, and now it appears that the project is gaining momentum.

According to Deadline, director Matt Johnson is being strongly considered by Legendary Pictures and Hasbro Entertainment for the role of directing the upcoming ‘Magic: The Gathering’ movie. At this point, no formal agreement has been reached, as the studio is still in preliminary discussions with the rising filmmaker. As of now, there is no screenwriter attached to the project, which is currently in its early stages, and the specific plot details for the ‘Magic: The Gathering’ film have yet to be determined. Nevertheless, any forward momentum is an encouraging sign.

Johnston has garnered significant recognition for his work on the critically praised 2023 film “BlackBerry,” which delved into the genesis of the BlackBerry series of mobile phones and its inventors. More recently, Johnston’s travel mockumentary titled “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” was procured by Neon following its showcase at South by Southwest, where it received favorable criticism. In 2013, Johnston’s directorial debut, “The Dirties,”, was hailed as “the most important film you will see all year” by filmmaker Kevin Smith after its premiere at Slamdance. It appears that Johnston is a gifted and visionary filmmaker who has piqued the interest of Legendary Pictures and Hasbro.

The ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Movie’s Long Development History

The development of a “Magic: The Gathering” film dates back to 2009 when Universal Pictures struck a deal with Hasbro to produce movies based on their popular toys, leading to films like “Battleship,” “Ouija,” and “Ouija: Origin of Evil.” In January 2014, the rights for “Magic: The Gathering” were acquired by 20th Century Fox, with Simon Kinberg from the “X-Men” franchise serving as a producer and Bryan Cogman from “Game of Thrones” writing the script. Regrettably, the film was abandoned after Disney took over 20th Century Fox in 2019.

Famed company Legendary Pictures and Hasbro have declared their intention to transform Magic: The Gathering into a diverse media empire encompassing movies and television shows. Remarkably, Hasbro’s strategy for Magic: The Gathering bears striking resemblance to the approach they took with Dungeons & Dragons, which was built upon the foundations of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley’s critically praised yet financially underwhelming film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Though Johnson may not appear to be the typical choice for a director handling a big-budget Magic: The Gathering production, he certainly is an intriguing selection.

It often happens that directors who are recognized for their work in independent films get chosen by big movie studios to adapt their blockbuster projects based on well-known IPs, such as Jon Favreau being selected to direct Iron Man, kickstarting the Marvel Cinematic Universe and eventually leading to Magic: The Gathering. However, this unconventional choice can also lead to disappointments, like Duncan Jones with Warcraft. Matt Johnson is a director that Legendary Pictures and Hasbro are taking a chance on, betting he will succeed in one of the world’s most famous franchises.

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2025-04-10 15:02