Lionsgate, LuckyChap, and Hasbro Entertainment are actively developing a feature film adaptation of the board game Monopoly, according to sources familiar with the project. The studio has engaged two screenwriting teams—Neil Widener and Gavin James, known for A Minecraft Movie, and Rebecca Angelo and Lauren Schuker Blum, who wrote Dumb Money—to draft competing outlines for the film. While the project remains in the early development phase, the studio plans to select one team to move forward with a full script.
Why Is Hollywood Investing in Toy-Based IP?
The push to adapt Monopoly is part of a broader industry strategy to leverage high-awareness intellectual property. According to industry data, Monopoly maintains 99% global awareness and has sold nearly 500 million copies since its 1935 launch. Following the commercial success of the Barbie movie, studios are increasingly prioritizing established brands with deep consumer nostalgia. Lionsgate gained the rights to develop the game for the big screen as part of its 2023 acquisition of eOne from Hasbro. This move mirrors past industry trends where studios, such as Universal, previously attempted to capitalize on toy-to-film pipelines, most notably through their 2008 partnership with Hasbro that eventually stalled following the 2012 release of Battleship.
The Monopoly film development has spanned nearly two decades. Early efforts began in 2008 under Universal, while Lionsgate’s internal attempts date back to at least 2015, featuring various creative iterations ranging from Andrew Niccol’s script to a proposed project involving Kevin Hart and Tim Story.
How Do the Current Writing Teams Compare?
Lionsgate is evaluating two distinct creative approaches to the board game adaptation. Neil Widener and Gavin James bring experience in large-scale, CGI-heavy franchise filmmaking; their work on A Minecraft Movie contributed to a record-breaking opening of $163 million, according to box office reports. Conversely, Rebecca Angelo and Lauren Schuker Blum offer a background in character-driven narratives. Their work on Dumb Money focused on the 2021 GameStop short squeeze, demonstrating an ability to translate complex, real-world systems into film. These two paths suggest the studio is weighing whether to lean into a spectacle-heavy blockbuster format or a more grounded, thematic take on the real-estate trading game.
Pro Tip: Tracking Franchise Development
When tracking major IP adaptations, look at the studio’s broader slate. Lionsgate is simultaneously developing an unscripted Monopoly series for Netflix, produced by Studio Lambert. The success of this television project may influence the tone and creative direction of the feature film currently in development.
What Happens Next for the Monopoly Movie?
The immediate next step for Lionsgate and its partners at LuckyChap is the selection of a final script direction from the two submitted outlines. Studio insiders emphasized to Deadline that the project is in its infancy and no final production timeline has been established. Previous attempts, such as the attachment of directors like Ridley Scott or the screenwriting work of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein in March 2025, illustrate that the path from development to production for Monopoly remains fluid. The studio is expected to wait for the completion of the chosen script before making further commitments regarding directors or casting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is producing the Monopoly movie?
Lionsgate is partnering with LuckyChap and Hasbro Entertainment to bring the board game to the screen. - Has a Monopoly movie been made before?
No. While there have been multiple attempts to develop a feature film since 2008, no project has successfully made it to production. - Is the Monopoly movie related to the Netflix series?
Yes, both are part of Hasbro Entertainment’s broader strategy to expand the Monopoly brand, though they are being developed as separate projects. - Who are the writers currently working on the film?
Lionsgate has hired Neil Widener and Gavin James, as well as Rebecca Angelo and Lauren Schuker Blum, to develop competing outlines.
Are you excited to see a Monopoly movie on the big screen, or should some games stay on the table? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on major franchise adaptations.
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