Source:Sony Pictures

November 4, 2009

Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired from Hasbro, Inc. the motion picture rights to produce Risk, the classic board game brand of world conquest, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The film will be produced and developed by Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter.

Commenting on the announcement Belgrad said, "Hasbro has already seen tremendous success with 'Transformers' and 'G.I. Joe' and audiences have shown a great desire for films that bring to life everything that has made these franchise properties stand the test of time. The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make 'Risk' a classic, thoroughly engaging game. Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie."

Lassiter added "We are excited to be working with Hasbro and Columbia Pictures on bringing such a beloved and well-known game to life on the big screen. We have two television projects currently in development with Hasbro Studios and look forward to this collaboration."

"We are thrilled to be working with tremendous partners like Sony Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment on 'Risk,'" said Brian Goldner, President and CEO of Hasbro, Inc. "Like so many of Hasbro's brands, 'Risk' resonates with consumers of multiple generations around the world. We can't wait to re-imagine this brand into a motion picture."

The game was invented in 1957 by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse as "La Conquete du Monde" (The Conquest of the World). Two years later, Parker Brothers published the game in the U.S. as "Risk." According to Hasbro, "Risk" was a groundbreaking game, the first board game to offer nonlinear movement. In the game, players compete on a map of the world, amassing armies and attempting world domination, or, as its rules put it, to "occupy every territory on the board and in so doing, eliminate all other players." The game has sold millions of copies and spawned several variations, with settings ranging from movie properties to various periods from world history to the moon.