Though Hollywood seems to be filled with high profile producers who find success in a wide variety of big budgeted genres and tent-pole franchises, the list of successful comedic producers often feels quite short. Comedies rarely hit the high water mark that other genres do, so when a string of hits can be attributed to certain production teams, people tend to take note.
Arguably one of the most successful current comedic production teams is that of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The duo is responsible not just for producing a list of audience favourites like 2013’s This Is The End and 2014’s Neighbors, but also writing, directing – and particularly in the case of Rogen, starring in them, too.
Word has now begun to circulate that Rogen and Goldberg have signed on to help produce the long in the works adaptation of the famed children’s book series Where’s Waldo? for MGM, through their Point Grey production company. Although official statement has not yet been issued by MGM, The Tracking Board, has reported that its close sources have confirmed the deal.
Since Waldo’s inception in 1987, the bespectacled, red and white striped sweater and hat wearing character has become known around the world by a variety of monikers. With 7 books currently in the Where’s Waldo? catalogue, the task of hunting for the lanky hero amongst detailed illustrations has been a memorable childhood experience for many. Unfortunately, the process of adapting the books has been an arduous one, with the project bouncing around from Paramount and Nickelodeon, to Universal and now to MGM. An early draft of the script involved Waldo accidentally being whisked away via a time machine and struggling to return home to his true love, Wilma – though it’s not currently known whether this story will remain as part of Rogen and Goldberg’s production (or whether the team’s creative input will reach beyond producing, should their participation be confirmed).
Bringing a children’s book to life onscreen doesn’t always appear to be the easiest of challenges. Over the years we’ve seen a handful of titles find their way into cinemas with mixed results. Aside from the tactical challenges that often accompany these sorts of adaptations, studios must tread carefully – in many ways these stories represent people’s childhoods and as such, audience reactions can be particularly critical.
If the rumour proves true and the pair do have this title in the works, there’s a decent chance of a quality end product that will reel in both younger and older audiences. While Rogen and Goldberg are most famous for their older, more raunchier titles like the upcoming animated Sausage Party, they’ve expanded into other genres as of late, developing Vertigo’s Preacher series for AMC, for example. The inclusion of Where’s Waldo? in their arsenal may end up being a great opportunity to prove they can cater to a mass audience.
Screen Rant will keep you posted on all the latest Where’s Waldo? news as it becomes available.
