TONKA TRUCKS To Get Animated Feature Film Adaptation
Hasbro is teaming up with Sony Pictures to bring Tonka Trucks to the big screen! Tonka Trucks were pretty badass back in the day. I had one when I was a kid, and I beat the hell out of it. I don't know if you've seen any Tonka toys today, but they aren't as badass as they use to be. Sony will team up with Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and adapt the brand into an animated feature film. They are also working on developing films for Hasbro’s Candy Land for Sony. The studio is also working on bringing Hasbro’s Risk to the big screen as well.
Since Universal Pictures bombed with Battleship, they've stopped working all of their Hasbro projects like Stretch Armstrong, Clue, Monopoly, and Magic, The Gathering. Maybe they should have made a better Battleship movie. It's not the brands fault; it's the studio's. I believe had they stuck to the core brand of the game, Battleship would have done a lot better at the box office. Maybe Sony will have better luck with Hasbro than Universal.
There's no information on what the story will be, but there's only so much you can do with trucks. President of Sony Pictures Digital Productions Bob Osher had this to say in a statement,
In its 65 years, TONKA has become more than a toy or a brand – TONKA trucks are a rite of passage for kids all around the world. Time spent with these toys creates memories that last a lifetime as kids are inspired to play using the boundaries of their imagination. We look forward to creating a family friendly motion picture that brings the TONKA experience to life.
Yeah, I've got the memories from my childhood filling my Tonka with dirt and pushing it around in the mud and sidewalk. But, I don't see how it will make for a good movie that I'd want to see. Maybe I'll change my mind when I see a trailer. Does a movie about Tonka Trucks get you excited?
Here's the Press Release:
TONKA, the Hasbro brand that for 65 years has stood for its line of toy trucks for children, will bring its TONKA toughness to the big screen in a fully animated motion picture to be produced by Sony Pictures Animation, Hasbro and Happy Madison Productions. The announcement was made today by Bob Osher, president, Sony Pictures Digital Productions, Michelle Raimo-Kouyate, president of Production for Sony Pictures Animation and Brian Goldner, president and CEO of Hasbro. The film will also be produced and developed by Goldner and Hasbro’s senior vice president and managing director of motion pictures, Bennett Schneir and will be written by Fred Wolf.
The new TONKA project strengthens the growing ties between Sony Pictures and Hasbro, following the announcements that Sony Pictures is developing motion pictures based on Hasbro’s RISK and CANDY LAND brands. CANDY LAND is also a Happy Madison project.
Commenting on the announcement, Osher said, “In its 65 years, TONKA has become more than a toy or a brand – TONKA trucks are a rite of passage for kids all around the world. Time spent with these toys creates memories that last a lifetime as kids are inspired to play using the boundaries of their imagination. We look forward to creating a family friendly motion picture that brings the TONKA experience to life.”
Raimo-Kouyate added, “Fred and our friends at Happy Madison and Hasbro have a truly inventive take on what it means to be ‘TONKA tough’ that will translate the multi-generational appeal of this world-renowned brand into a fun animated adventure for the whole family.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with Bob, Michelle, and the amazing team of artists and storytellers at Sony Pictures Animation,” said Schneir. “Together with Happy Madison, we’re excited to bring TONKA trucks to life in a terrific story for audiences around the world.”
One of the most recognized brands in Hasbro’s portfolio, TONKA has been the bestselling toy truck globally since 1947. Giving children real-life, relatable experiences, TONKA trucks help kids learn the confidence to get the job done.
