Growing much like its iconic character, “Stretch Armstrong” has found a director and writer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog, The Universal Studios adaptation of the 1970s toy will be helmed by Rob Letterman, who co-directed the animated hit “Monsters vs. Aliens." In the writers chair will be Nicholas Stoller who both scripted and directed “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” along with the upcoming spin-off “Get Him to the Greek.” Stoller will perform re-writes on Steve Oedekerk’s screenplay.
“Armstrong” will be an entry in a string of toy and game-based films originating from a deal between Universal and Hasbro which will include adaptations of board games “Battleship,” “Monopoly” and “Candy Land”.
Described as a “superhero adventure” by the studio, an “Armstrong” movie seems to be the lone endeavor with any promise, especially when contemplating the thought of a “Magic: The Gathering” adaptation.
Slated for a 2012 release, the 3D production will mark the departure of Taylor Lautner from the “Twilight” franchise and will test his leading man potential. Brian Grazer from Image Entertainment will team with Hasbro’s Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir to executive produce.
Letterman and Stoller worked together previously on “Gulliver’s Travels” as director and writer respectively. That Jack Black vehicle will see a winter release this year. The caliber of that re-imagining should help to gauge “Stretch’s” potential.
