Magic: The Gathering Live-Action Movie Eyes Blackberry Director

Blackberry’s Matt Johnson is being eyed to direct the live-action Magic: The Gathering movie for Legendary Entertainment and Hasbro Entertainment.

It was announced earlier this year that Legendary and Hasbro were collaborating on a Magic: The Gathering movie and television universe that is based on the popular trading card game created by Richard Garfield.

It was announced that the franchise will begin with a live-action movie; however, no other details were available at the time.

What do we know about the live-action Magic: The Gathering movie?

Per Deadline, Johnson now appears to be the top choice to direct the live-action Magic: The Gathering film.

“The studios declined to comment,” Deadline’s article notes. We hear they’ve not yet made a formal offer to Johnson, as it’s very early days here, but he is the choice to direct. No word yet on the take on the material, nor who will be scripting.”

Legendary’s Mary Parent previously said in a statement about the new Magic: The Gathering universe, “We pride ourselves on being thoughtful caretakers of singular, beloved IP, and no property better fits that description than Magic: The Gathering. 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.”

Johnson made his feature film directorial debut in 2013 with The Dirties. He followed that up with 2016’s Operation Avalanche before making BlackBerry in 2023. That movie sees Jay Baruchel play Mike Lazaridis, while Glenn Howerton portrays Jim Balsillie. It received positive reviews from critics upon its release and a handful of accolades. 

Most recently, Johnson made a time travel mockumentary film called Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. That film premiered at South by Southwest earlier this year and has been acquired by Neon, though a nationwide release date has not yet been set.

A release date for the live-action Magic: The Gathering movie has not been announced.

Source: Comingsoon.net