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Thank You?

Adam Sandler Is Going to Produce and Star in the Candyland Movie

by Jamie Frevele | 11:04 am, February 1st, 2012


Good morning, readers! Allow us to present a story that will leave you either scratching your heads or throwing a heavy object at the wall: Columbia Pictures and Hasbro have announced that the Candyland movie they’ve been working on (the one based on the board game — that has been described as “an operatic, ‘King Lear’-like civil war in a kingdom that just happened to be made completely out of candy” — has found a production partner in Happy Madison Productions. That would be Adam Sandler‘s production company. And if you’re wondering if it’s going to star Adam Sandler … then you have wondered correctly. Wow. What to do about all these mixed feelings I’m having.

With the announcement that man-boy clown Adam Sandler — and I actually mean that kindly — was to take a leading role in this movie, this kind of threw a wrench into the gears for what was supposed to be a “Lord of the Rings, but with candy” kind of movie. See, that makes it sound like it was intended to be a family-friendly epic — but with candy. Maybe Columbia and Hasbro realized that sounded ridiculous. As ridiculous as calling it “King Lear — but with candy.” But attach someone like Adam Sandler to this? “I’m crazy board-game movie makin’ guy! Gimme some candy!”

Oh, sorry. Didn’t get that 1990s Saturday Night Live reference? Here, watch this.

See, I have a soft spot for Sandler. Ever since SNL, and then ever since Billy Madison, and especially since The Wedding Singer. And while I realize he has made some horrible, horrible movies lately, I feel like it’s the movies that are bad, not Sandler. (Come on, Funny People! He wasn’t bad in that!)

Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad had the following to say:

“Candy Land is more than just a game. It is a brand that children, parents and grandparents know and love. The world of Candy Land offers an extraordinary canvas upon which to create a fantastical, live-action family adventure film with a larger than life part for Adam. We are thrilled to partner with Hasbro and Happy Madison on this project.”

Okay, I’ll bite. This could either be a trippy, crazy kids’ movie that will be weird enough for open-minded adults to tolerate, or it will be a gigantic flop. Board game-based movies can be tricky (because look how, um, awesome Battleship looks, you guys). Who knows? The script will be written by Sandler and former SNL writer Robert Smigel. And the director, Kevin Lima, did Enchanted. It might have a fighting chance! As long as Rob Schneider and Allen Covert aren’t involved … which they will be.

You know what this movie will be missing? Judd Apatow.

(Deadline via AV Club)

Previously in Candyland

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  • Anonymous

    Nothing could ever be “missing” Judd Apatow.

  • Nick Gaston

    Best case: it’s a decent Adventure Time knockoff.

    Worst case: it’s an Adventure Time Soviet counterpart built from sketchy intelligence reports, critically deficient manufacturing and engineering capabilities, and an autocratic bureaucracy screaming at the designers to meet the production deadline “or else.”

    (I was jus’ going to make a TV Tropes reference, but my inner tech geek got the better of me.)

  • https://twitter.com/ZenPoseur ZenPoseur

    This has gone from ridiculous to depressing.  Seriously, I can’t even bring myself to make a pithy comment.

    Fuck you Hollywood.

    You beat me.  You win.  Are you fucking happy?

    Hollywood, fuck you.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Trevor-Patrick/100003219824104 Trevor Patrick

    there’s already an adaptation of candyland, it’s called Adventure Time and it rocks.  best case, this comes off as an adventure time rip off, worst case, well the sky’s the limits.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/66IYGANB365BA4I3AAWC7S466Q Roy

    Mÿ friënd’s stëp-sistër mâkës $38/hr ön thë intërnët. Shë hâs bëën öüt öf â jöb för 6 mönths büt lâst mönth hër incömë wâs $1722 jüst wörking ön thë intërnët för â fëw höürs. Gö tö this wëb sitë ând rëâd mörë…. LazyCash10.c&#173om

  • Adam Whitley

    Adventure Time: The Movie thats what we really need.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gorillazfan Emily Hill

    who you think will be Frostine and Lolly

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gorillazfan Emily Hill

    I love you (is an AT junkie)

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