Helix Films Building 3D Movie Franchise based on ERECTOR SET
"If you build it, they will come." Another classic toy is somehow being developed into a feature film, with Helix Films looking to cash in on the name recognition of the iconic Erector Set in hopes of building a full on 3D film franchise.
The Meccano Toy Company brand of children's construction toys joins the likes of the Viewmaster, Stretch Armstrong, and the Monopoly, Candyland, Battleship board games that Hollywood is spending big bucks to develop into movies. It seems the more ludicrous and unfeasible the product lends itself to being believably dramatized, the better it sounds to a studio.
I think the Erector Sets' appearance in Sandlot is about as much on-screen time I'd want or expect from the toy, aside from say... an appearance in a Toy Story film. I'm not surprised anymore by any of this, nor am I surprised that it will be in 3D... I'm just numb to it. How 'bout you? But I am always interested in hearing just how these studios plan to make a story out of these toys. But I don't mean that in a good way; I'm intrigued in the same way I'd be if someone came up to me and told me they plan on sticking fire works in their pants. My response to both is, "tell me how, where and when you'll be dong this so I can see how this all goes down in a fiery blaze."
Here's the official press release:
Helix Films and Meccano Toy Company Join Forces to Build ‘Erector Set’ Toy Movie Franchise
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 — Helix Films, an independent production company, announced today that they have formed an exclusive partnership with Meccano Toy Company to develop an original 3D feature film based upon the iconic Erector Set brand of children’s construction toys. The deal represents the first time Meccano has licensed film rights to their toys. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Helix is currently developing an original script with an eye towards creating a film franchise based on the Erector brand that could also expand to other entertainment platforms including television and video games. 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.”
“The very core of Meccano/Erector is about creating educational toys that enable children and adults to imagine and create completely new worlds,” said 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. Erector sets enable the building of working models and mechanical devices and have inspired countless engineers, designers, architects and creative minds of all ages. Modern versions include new technologies to accelerate construction for even the youngest children. Meccano/Erector set toy products are currently sold in more than 80 countries.
About Helix Films Helix Films was founded in 2008 by a seasoned team of film producers and business executives Steven Charles Jaffe, Gaukhar Noortas and Kevin Foo to develop and produce feature motion pictures. With an emphasis on story and character-driven projects, Helix projects cover a broad range of genres including animation, psychological thrillers, science fiction and comedy. Helix has two projects currently in production, including a thriller “I’ll See You Again” and a 3D animated feature adaptation of Gahan Wilson’s “Eddy Deco.” For more information about Helix Films, please visit http://www.helixfilmsinc.com/.
