Magic: The Gathering Cinematic Universe On Its Way From Legendary And Hasbro

Planeswalkers, assemble! Over a decade after Fox tried and failed to bring the fantasy world of Magic: The Gathering to the big screen with, MonsterVerse architects Legendary and toymakers turned burgeoning movie powerhouse Hasbro are reaching for the topdeck to give Wizards Of The Coast's iconic collectible card game an on-screen universe that's as expansive as its in-game world. Per Variety's reporting, the entertainment world juggernauts are joining forces to create a cinematic universe for Magic that will stretch across both film and television.

With over 50 million players worldwide and an estimated value of over $1 billion, Magic: The Gathering is already a major player in the fantasy space, and thanks to its multiversal approach to storytelling, its vast lore and mythos — built out over three decades of trading card and video game releases — can be pulled from and played with however Hasbro and Legendary see fit. First up on the agenda though, according to Variety's sources, will be an inaugural live-action feature film. And while we know nothing about what the film — or any of the proposed MTGCU projects — has in store just yet (a separate, Russo Brothers produced Magic animation at Netflix is still on its way in the meantime), Magic's basic premise of adventuring spellcasters questing in an anything-could-happen world has massive potential. 2023's Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves — which similarly took a playground staple fantasy game and made of it a rollicking cinematic romp — has even done Hasbro and Legendary a solid by setting the perfect template for mainstream friendly yet still uber geeky hijinks.

“We pride ourselves on being thoughtful caretakers of singular, beloved IP, and no property better fits that description than ‘Magic The Gathering,'” said Legendary’s head of worldwide production Mary Parent in a statement accompanying the MTGCU's announcement. “Alongside the fantastic Hasbro team, we look forward to creating a multimedia universe that thrills longstanding fans and creates a broad wave of new ones.” Added Hasbro's head of film Zev Foreman: "This is an exciting and complementary partnership, uniting one of the world’s most iconic brands with a powerful and proven steward.”

With Monopoly, Clue (aka Cluedo), Transformers x G.I. Joe, and Play-Doh also among the toys/games on the, table (sorry) as Hasbro's ever-expanding quest for box office domination continues, it'll be fascinating to see how Magic: The Gathering's cinematic universe takes shape in the years to come. In the meantime, anyone up for a game of Aetherdrift? Duskmorn? What about the Tales Of Middle-earth multiverse set? Yeah, now we're talking!