Sony Acquires Film & TV Rights for Clue After Deal with Hasbro

After closing a deal with Hasbro, Sony officially acquired the rights for the classic murder-mystery board game Clue. With the agreement now in the rearview, fans can expect an adaptation of the 75-year-old game published by Waddingtons & Parker Brothers. Sony could potentially present the classic game in both big and small-screen adaptations.

Hasbro announced a new iteration of Clue in 2023 when the company appointed Zev Foreman and Gabriel Marano to lead the Hasbro moves, TV, animation, and digital media divisions. Here’s an overview of the classic murder-mystery game, the Sony Hasbro deal, and what fans can expect:

The Original ‘Cluedo’ Board Game

Board games seem like the term used in casinos, where table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker reign. Fans of roulette and blackjack casinos are probably more attuned to real-money gambling involving random number generators and cash payouts. Cluedo is nothing like online slots, poker, and other RNG games in modern casinos and online gambling websites. Instead, Clue is a murder-mystery game created by Antony E. Pratt.

The board game was initially named ‘Murder’ before the Waddingtons trademarked it as Cluedo in the UK. Cluedo was released in 1949 in the UK and US. The US release was released as Clue by Parker Brothers and featured a few modifications. Clue received its first big-screen adaptation in 1985 when Tim Curry, Michael McKean, and Christopher Lloyd led the Paramount Pictures Silver Screen.

However, it’s been nearly 40 years, but fans can now expect another adaptation of one of the best murder mysteries of all time. The original Clue board game is all about solving a murder mystery. Players move around a mansion, eliminating incorrect possibilities as they try to identify the murder location, weapon, and perpetrator. Like most classic whodunit games, Clue requires a bit of luck but is more appealing to those with deductive reasoning skills.

The New Refreshed Clue Gameplay

Clue is still the most iconic murder-mystery board game of the 20th century. It recently received a refresh that maintains the classic gameplay but adds rich new twists to the storyline. The latest take offers a diverse cast with highly stylized game pieces. Players can also explore a new glamorous Tudor Mansion.

The game begins when six guests arrive at the Boden Black’s mansion after a mysterious invitation. No one knows what to expect, but the host reveals a blackmail scheme dinner. Later, the host turns up dead, prompting each guest to begin solving the murder mystery. The new game offers beautiful twists and a reimagination of the original game.

A fresh storyline, luxurious setting, and dazzling cast are everything gamers want to see. Players can still play as Miss Scarlett, Mayor Green, Colonel Mustard, Solicitor Peacock, Chef White, or Professor Plum. All characters have been revamped and come with a new, exciting backstory and motive, making the game more exciting and challenging for players.

Sony’s Film and TV Deal with Hasbro

After its new deal with Hasbro, Sony has officially taken the reigns of the classic whodunit. While everything depends on Sony’s next move, many expect Clue to return to the screen. The deal was closed between Tristar Pictures and Sony Pictures Television of Sony and Hasbro, the original owners of the classic game. Zev Foreman and Gabriel Marano, heads of film and television divisions at Hasbro, confirmed the new deal.

Both heads believe Sony was the perfect partner to adapt the property, which is considered a culturally impactful and mystery-defining game. Hasbro also announced an updated Clue game in January 2023. Clue has over 150 million copies worldwide, making it a board game staple. It’ll be exciting to see how Sony adapts the game, which is about figuring out who killed the host, Mr. Boddy.

Sony won’t be the first to adapt and release Clue as a TV show or film. Paramount Pictures released a comedy film in 1985, while Universal tried to create a version of their own starring Ryan Reynolds. Fox also developed an animated series bearing the same name. The Hub, now known as Discovery Family, also aired a Clue miniseries in 2011. Partnering with Sony marks the most recent attempt at bringing Clue to media other than IP addresses. The company is also working on Transformer, Dungeons & Dragons, GI Joe, and other properties.

Key Takeaways About the Future of Clue

Clue remains one of the best murder mystery games and the world’s second most popular board game. With the new Sony-Hasbro deal, gamers and film lovers can expect the classic game to hit the screens. Nonetheless, everything depends on whether Sony adapts the game into a film or TV series. This is the most likely outcome, but fans will have to wait and see.