Where's Waldo? to Become Live-Action Feature Film

[Lencho01]

http://collider.com/wheres-waldo-movie-live-action/125215

WHERE’S WALDO? to Become Live-Action Feature Film

by Matt Goldberg Posted:November 7th, 2011 at 11:20 am

MGM has picked up the feature film rights to bring the children’s book series Where’s Waldo? to the big screen. For those unfamiliar with the Where’s Waldo? books, they’re impressively drawn crowd scene where the object is to find Waldo, a lanky gentleman with glasses and a distinctive red-and-white outfit. The series eventually spawned supporting characters like Wilma, Wendy, Waldo’s dog Woof, and Waldo’s arch-nemesis, Odlaw. As an adult, I’m confused why a man whose sole purpose in life is to stand around in crowds would need an arch-nemesis. However, all these elements could make for an entertaining movie.
A Where’s Waldo? film adaptation has been in development for years. Back in 2004, Nickelodeon Movies had it on their development slate, and a couple years ago Universal and animation studio Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me) were trying to get Waldo on the big screen. We’ll see if MGM has more success. Hit the jump for the press release as well as a Werner Herzog impersonator doing a hilarious “reading” of a Where’s Waldo? book.

First, the good stuff. Here’s the fake Werner Herzog narrating a Where’s Waldo? book:

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To your right you’ll find an example of a Where’s Waldo? challenge. Finally, here’s the press release:

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 07, 2011) – MGM’s President of Motion Picture Group Jonathan Glickman today announced that the studio has secured feature film rights to bring Classic Media’s Where’s Waldo?® to the big screen in a live-action family adventure.

Created by Martin Handford and first published in 1987, Where’s Waldo? is one of the most recognizable characters in the world and a pop-culture icon. A publishing phenomenon with more than 55 million books sold worldwide from New York to Sydney to London to Tokyo, Where’s Waldo books are available in more than thirty-eight countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages. Where’s Waldo has also been spotted in gaming, selling more than 4.6+ million Apps for iPhone and iPad.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the search for Waldo to the big screen. Along with our partners at Classic Media, we look forward to making a worldwide adventure that will appeal to Where’s Waldo? fans of all ages,” Glickman said.

“Waldo is the most searched-for character in the world,” said Eric Ellenbogen, co-CEO, Classic Media. “With thanks to MGM, fans everywhere will find Waldo in movie theaters with his motion picture debut.”

MGM’s Cassidy Lange, Vice President, Production, will oversee the project for the studio with Ellenbogen and Handford’s business partner Mike Gornall serving as Executive Producers.

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Make this happen...

[YT]Rt3NfymWlss[/YT]

 

[Ultra Lantern]

This is going to be a very interesting movie.Where's my ticket?

 

[nite-owl]

After watching that video I want Herzog involved somehow.

 

[kickass]

I hope we get some sweet viral campaign for this!

 

[Duke]

I always get a kick of trying to find Waldo everytime I see a book of his. I wonder who they'll end up casting though?

 

[Donnie Darko]

I just... have no idea how this idea can be a movie.

 

[Thebumwhowalks]

I always get a kick of trying to find Waldo everytime I see a book of his. I wonder who they'll end up casting though?

They should cast that kid with the glasses who is now very famous for being a film extra, his rise to fame is the real life Waldo story.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Why?

 

[Duke]

I just... have no idea how this idea can be a movie.

The same thought probably went through the minds of people when they were trying to make a Monopoly & Battleship movie.

 

[Symbiotic]

The only actor I can think of for this is Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

 

[Donnie Darko]

The same thought probably went through the minds of people when they were trying to make a Monopoly & Battleship movie.

I'm still wondering what went through their heads while making Battleship. Would a simple ocean-set war movie been too insane?

 

[Spider-Vader]

I hope it's 90 minutes of just one image, but it's the hardest 'Where's Waldo' ever.

 

[jmc]

A Where's Wally film? Really?

I hope it's 90 minutes of just one image, but it's the hardest 'Where's Waldo' ever.

 

[jmc]

I'm still wondering what went through their heads while making Battleship. Would a simple ocean-set war movie been too insane?

Of course, but where's the 'name recognition'? Stupid Hollywood.

 

[Donnie Darko]

You can use the name Battleship and have it make sense. You didn't need transforming alien robots, which is what I see in the trailer. That being said... Peter Berg, Alexander Skarsgard, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemmons, and being able to look at Brooklyn Decker... I will probably see it.

 

[Lencho01]

I'm still wondering what went through their heads while making Battleship. Would a simple ocean-set war movie been too insane?

It was probably the main thing that gave them a chance for the studio to look at the film.

 

[Octoberist]

Javier Bardem is (explosion) Waldo.

 

[bullets]

I hope it's 90 minutes of just one image, but it's the hardest 'Where's Waldo' ever.

It should be. Just an overhead shot of a crowded NY street with tons of people walking by. Then you can debate with friends over when and if you actually saw him.

 

[Liam_H]

The Paranormal Activity Movies are already using this concept, they should just do the same for this and turn it into a found footage movie.

 

[Silvermoth]

Ben Stiller looks like Wally. Then again, he wouldn't be hard to find if he was ......stiller.

You're welcome internet.

Back on topic, yeah I'm totally ready for this movie. Hope Wizard Whitebeard makes an appearence.

 

[jmc]

Here's a conundrum they have to overcome, in North America he's called Waldo, but in other English speaking countries he's called Wally. I guess simple ADR work could fix it but the shape the mouth makes with each name is completely different so it could look a bit weird.

 

[dude stannis]

Nicolas Cage as Waldo and Odlaw

 

[Doctor Jones]

Nicolas Cage as Waldo and Odlaw

My money is on Cage as Batman in an All Star Batman and Robin adaptation someday.

 

[Doctor Jones]

But I can see the potential in this. It could be a story of a boy who feels isolated and feels like an outcast and decides to run away. There's an entire search party that looks for him to give it that grand embellished scale feel in order to make him feel significant. It could be part comedy and dramatic in aspects. It would be a weird combination but I think it would work.

 

[DyeLorean]

I just... have no idea how this idea can be a movie.

Well, if you see every book, you'll notice that there are some very very interesting things that can be translated into a movie. In fact, there are so many, that I'm very curious about what they'll do.
Wally/Waldo not just travels through space, but also through time. There are all kinds of different worlds and sets, imaginary places full of details. I mean, it's all right there. The characters (Waldo/Wally, Wenda, Woof, WhiteBeard, Odlaw), the places, the motives (he looses stuff, there's people always looking for him from page to page, from era to era). They just need to find a very good story to translate all that. If they do, I bet there's a great movie ahead.