The Toy Fair 2010 is underway in NYC, ergo this announcement that there are plans for yet another movie franchise based on a toy. The indie Helix Films announced today an exclusive partnership with Meccano Toy Company to develop a 3D feature film based upon the Erector Set brand of kiddie construction toys. The deal represents the first time Meccano has licensed film rights to their toys but Tv and video games also are contemplated. While details of the story are being kept under wraps, the film will be “a family fantasy/adventure”.
“The three partners of Helix Films all grew up playing with Erector Set toys but in different countries — Kevin Foo in Australia, Gaukhar Noortas in Kazakhstan, and me and my brother Robert in the U.S. — so our partnership with Meccano is very personal, as well as exciting,” said Steven-Charles Jaffe (Ghost, Star Trek IV, Strange Days) of Santa Monica-based Helix Films. “We believe the iconic Erector brand offers generational appeal with global reach, providing a tremendous platform to create a thrilling film franchise that boys, girls and adults will all adore.”
Added Michael Ingberg, CEO of Meccano Toy Company: “It’s perfect for a film franchise as it is certain to entertain but also stimulate creativity and imagination as the Erector toy system has done around the world for nearly a hundred years.”
Invented in England by Frank Hornby in 1901, Meccano was conceived as a model toy construction system comprising re-usable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. The toy has sold under the “Erector Set” brand in the U.S. since 1913, and Meccano/Erector set toy products are currently sold in more than 80 countries.
Okay, this whole turning toys into movies thing has gone way past too far. Arrests, summary trials, and immediate incarcerations will have to be made, forthwith. Make room in Gitmo, because they’re going get some company!
And who will go see a movie called “Erector Set.” It sounds like the kind of film you get from that little room at the back of the video store. Not that I’ve ever been in that sort of room, I’ve just heard about it. ;)
When will this madness stop? This guy used to be Kathryn Bigelow’s producer. How the mighty have fallen. At least Bigelow and a few others are still not compromising.
My reactions:
1. The same TV networks that shot down “A Couple of Dicks” are going to run ads pitching a movie called “Erector Set” to children???
2. Are the two already-planned sequels going to be called “Even More Erect” and “The Most Erect Ever)?
3. The “Meet the Spartans” guys must salivating be over this already. They can set a really tall one on fire and call it “The Towering Erection”.
4. Is the bad guy going to challenge the good-guy construction types with the taunt, “Erect This!”???
5. Isn’t “Erector Set” a reboot??? Didn’t the first one star John Holmes, Christy Canyon, Marilyn Chambers, and a who-knew-she-was-only-16 Traci Lords???
THIS JUST IN:
HOLLYWOOD OFFICIALLY OUT OF IDEAS
(seriously, this is worse than the Monopoly movie directed by Ridley Scott. At least that didn’t pass Go, or collect $200)
I’ll be looking forward to this. I was reminiscing with my friends about Erector Set just the other day, and while we disagreed on issues of tone and character, the one thing we all agreed on was that Erector Set was one hell of a good story.
Maybe they’ll toss in Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys for a 3D 3-way.
Also in development now:
TRAINSFORMERS
HOOP & STICK
KICK THE CAN: ALUMINUM BOOGALOO
As long as Taylor Lautner doesn’t get a role in this movie too.
Excuse me while I go vomit.
By the way, when will we see movies based other brand names? I have a few ideas:
Ford Tough – Action movie similar to Fast & Furious involving Ford trucks.
The Pepsi Generation — Think High School Musical with more product placement.
The Kellogg’s Code — A mix between Flubber and National Treasure, somehow involving a secret toy in a box of Kellogg’s cereal.
These ideas aren’t any worse than Monopoly, Viewmaster and Erector Set.
Two words… Oy vey!!!!!!!!!
How about Pencil: The Movie? I’ve been using pencils since I was three years old and have a deep personal connection to pencils. It’s perfect for a film franchise as pencils have stimulated creativity and imagination around the world for hundreds of years. The franchise lends itself to multiple sequels; Pencil 2: Return of HB, Pencil 3: Attack of the Cyborg Pen-Pencil.
Oh, Paddy Chayefsky would find this the stuff of such easy fun. How can anyone – I mean ANYONE – get up at five in the morning to head to work – grab a coffee and a bagel and say in seriousness, ‘yes, I’m off to work on ‘Erector Set”? Stay in bed. Stay mad. Stay furious. This is bullshit. And those who say this is all done in fun – go to hell.
Cool! Maybe now I can get someone to read my Lincoln Log script? Or my Spirograph movie…
Sigh….
Ugh.
This is really getting sad. Someone needs to stop Hollywood.
As the page was loading and the title started to appear I thought” how slow a newsday is this that they have to make up projects” and “what the hell, I need a production company”, last thought “oh, so that was real(i thought that Erector Sets were a made up toy used as a plot device).
I guess it can be a movie but they better have great imaginations or it better be a made for tv movie with 3d glasses.
I grew up playing with Barbies, but Lawrence of Arabia was a better idea for a movie.
Toy Story rocked but I can’t imagine a storyline for Erector Set. If they can pull off they’d have a built-in audience of people who grew up with the toy.
I just want everyone to know that the movie rights are available for Lincoln Logs. Just let me know. I envision a movie set in pioneer days with a possible tie in to The American Doll. In 3-D of course!
All kidding aside, I think this is a great imaginitive idea, good job guys! What I’m concerned about is whether they’ll do the movie justice, but I suspect they will considering the people involved, otherwise why bother. Being in 3D is a nice added feature too. I look forward to seeing it.