In the past few years, we’ve seen movie studios snatch up the rights to a variety of brand name characters, games, and books in the hopes of capturing box office success. That thought process has apparently yet to change since today it was revealed that MGM has acquired the rights to the Where’s Waldo? books with plans to produce a live-action “family adventure” film. Considering that we’ve heard news about unlikely projects such as a Stretch Armstrong movie and a Ouija Board film in the past, I’m somewhat surprised that this latest property acquisition hasn’t already been brought to the big screen, given its popularity. Created in 1987 by Brit author/illustrator Martin Handford, the book series has “sold over 55 million books to date in over 30 different languages, across 38 different countries.” In recent years, there have also been many popular gaming apps developed around the character.

For anyone unfamiliar with the character (basically people living under rocks), the Where’s Waldo? books work like a game of “I Spy” as you search for Waldo in a variety of different locations. While that may work fine for children’s books, I’m not sure how well the property will translate to the big screen. I mean, taking a character who naturally blends in with a crowd and making him stand out as a movie protagonist sounds like a tough balance to pull off. In years past, both Paramount and Universal attempted to develop movies based on the character, but nothing ever came of it. I’m wondering if MGM will ultimately continue that trend or if they can think up a creative way to make Where’s Waldo? work. Would you be interested in spotting Waldo in your local theater?