Board game nerds, rejoice! The popular tabletop strategy game THE SETTLERS OF CATAN is one step closer to becoming a movie and/or TV series. Producer Gail Katz, known for THE PERFECT STORM, AIR FORCE ONE, OUTBREAK, BICENTENNIAL MAN, IN THE LINE OF FIRE, and many more films has won the rights to the board game with sights set on the big and small screen.
While THE SETTLERS OF CATAN does not feature a linear plot, the gameplay is constantly changing each time you play it but focuses on an island paradise where players attempt to create the most dominant civilization. The game has been around since 1995 and sold over 20 million copies in over 30 languages as well as spawning spin-offs, video games, and more. There is no word on what exactly the plan is for the adaptation, but Katz had positive words about her acquisition.
“I’ve been wanting to see an adaptation of the game for years, ever since my Catan-obsessed college-aged kids introduced me to it,” said Katz. “The island of Catan is a vivid, visual, exciting and timeless world with classic themes and moral challenges that resonate today. There is a tremendous opportunity to take what people love about the game and its mythology as a starting point for the narrative.”
Personally, I think THE SETTLERS OF CATAN sounds more like a cross between The Oregon Trail and Risk, but the high concept may translate well as a cinematic experience. It all really depends on the creative voices involved, but I can almost see this as a GAME OF THRONES type series if handled the right way.
What say you, CATAN fans? Is there a way to make the game into a movie or TV show?