Aug 22, 2018

Patrick Osborne develops Paramount Pictures movie "Monument Valley"

Patrick Osborne (Disney's Feast, Google Spotlight Stories' Pearl) is developing a live-action/cg hybrid feature based on Ustwo Games' hit mobile game Monument Valley, which has recorded over 160 million downloads.

Paramount Pictures and Weed Road Pictures are producing the film. If the idea reaches production, Osborne will also direct. The news was reported on Tuesday afternoon by Deadline.

Paramount and Weed Road will next bring aboard a screenwriter to work with Osborne on crafting a story around the game. The game itself doesn't have much of a story – it's basically a princess walking up a bunch Escher-esque buildings – which presents an interesting opportunity to craft an original story while tapping into the equity of an established IP. What remains unclear is whether fans of Monument Valley will be receptive to a narrative story centered around something designed to be an interactive visual experience. Here's a look at the gameplay:

Osborne tells Deadline: “Monument Valley is a one of a kind experience, at once small in its meditative, simple gameplay, as well as enormous in its sense of history. I'm privileged to be handed the reins to Ida's mysterious kingdom, to play in her world of impossible architecture where seeing things differently is everything.”

Weed Pictures' Akiva Goldsman will produce the film, and Paramount's president of production Elizabeth Raposo and Weed Road president of production Greg Lessans are overseeing the project.

Osborne is currently directing Nimona for Blue Sky Studios and Fox. He is repped by WME and Anonymous Content.