Get ready to tap into a multiverse of magic, because Magic: The Gathering is about to cast a spell on film and TV with a new cinematic universe. Hasbro has officially partnered with Legendary Entertainment to bring the trading card game to life on the big and small screens. Legendary, the studio responsible for Dune, Detective Pikachu, and the Monsterverse films, has prioritised a live-action film as the first project in this ambitious expansion. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that this cinematic universe would likely stand apart from Netflix’s previously announced animated series, though details remain unclear on whether the two projects might eventually connect.
Zev Foreman, Head of Film at Hasbro Entertainment, expressed excitement over the collaboration, “This is an exciting and complementary partnership, uniting one of the world’s most iconic brands with a powerful and proven steward. MAGIC: THE GATHERING has inspired decades of epic world-building and creative storytelling. It is a perfect match for Legendary’s diversified approach to marquee IP, and we are excited to work together to build a whole new MAGIC: THE GATHERING universe.”
First introduced by Wizards of the Coast in 1993, Magic: The Gathering has since evolved into Hasbro’s most lucrative brand, surpassing US$1 billion in revenue. Wizards of the Coast became part of Hasbro in 1999, and since then, Magic: The Gathering has expanded into novels, video games, and comics. Hollywood has long considered adapting the franchise, with 20th Century Fox acquiring the rights in 2014, but Disney’s 2019 acquisition of Fox led to the cancellation of those plans. Netflix later announced an animated series, which remains in development, but now Legendary is stepping in to establish an interconnected film and television universe for the brand.
The success of 2023’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves demonstrated that audiences still have an appetite for fantasy films based on gaming properties. While the film’s box office performance was modest, its strong reception on streaming platforms suggests potential for future adaptations. With Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones proving the longevity of high fantasy on both the big and small screen, Magic: The Gathering has the potential to carve out its own place in the genre. The game’s core mechanics center on Planeswalkers — powerful beings capable of traveling between worlds — offering limitless storytelling opportunities that could set this adaptation apart from other fantasy franchises.
Hasbro has a history of adapting its properties for film and television, with franchises like Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Dungeons & Dragons receiving big-budget adaptations. Additional projects, including a Power Rangers reboot and a Beyblade movie, are already in development. With Magic: The Gathering now joining that lineup, Hasbro is making a major push into the entertainment industry, aiming to establish another blockbuster franchise. A well-received debut could set the stage for a sprawling fantasy universe, while any creative missteps may derail the franchise before it has a chance to expand.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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