Reports of a Magic: The Gathering movie have circulated for years, with it only being somewhat recently that the project gained momentum, thanks to filmmaker Matt Johnson boarding the project. Even after he was brought on board, he’s been busy with things like Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie and the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, with it seeming as though the fantasy adaptation was nothing more than speculation.
The project just took a significant step forward, however, as Deadline revealed that Stranger Things star Maya Hawke has joined the project. The outlet noted, “While insiders tell Deadline the cast is expected to have an ensemble feel, Hawke’s role is expected to be a key one in the project and unlike a lot of the others roles that will audition, producers made it a priority to get the Stranger Things star the first offer to join the film.”
To say that the project will be ambitious is a bit of an understatement. In addition to this live-action adaptation to come in the form of a movie, it is said to also help usher in a shared universe that includes TV shows.
For those unaware, Magic: The Gathering launched in 1993 and has become a seminal force in the world of fantasy. While it may have come after games like Dungeons & Dragons, it took a different approach to embracing the world of fantasy and combat mechanics. Despite the massive footprint that game has held in the world of gaming, even after more than three decades, the concept has failed to translate into live-action mediums.
One reason that the brand may have avoided investing in a live-action adaptation is due to the challenges previous fantasy game adaptations have faced.
In 2000, Dungeons & Dragons had a reported budget of $45 million and only took in $33.8 million and sits at only 9% positive reviews on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. In 2016, the immensely popular MMORPG World of Warcraft was adapted as the movie Warcraft, which proved to be a strong financial success, but only has 29% positive reviews. In other words, a massively popular fantasy game doesn’t necessarily translate into a massively successful movie.
In 2023, however, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves defied trends. While its box-office earnings were relatively underwhelming, its critical reactions were much stronger, as it maintains a 91% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. By leaning into the ensemble element of the concept, the movie has slowly yet surely earned a cult following, leading many to hope for a follow up.
Perhaps Johnson’s comedic talents could result in capturing the necessary tone to make a Magic: The Gathering movie worth the decades-long wait.
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