Sony Pictures looking to turn The Settlers of Catan into a feature-film

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Somehow, there are more than a few movies based upon board-games out there, such as BATTLESHIP, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, CLUE, and OUIJA, with even more on the way, and Variety reports that we may soon be adding The Settlers of Catan to that list as Sony Pictures is in negotiations to acquire the rights to adapt the hugely popular board-game series into a feature-film.

Those rights are currently held by producer Gail Katz (AIR FORCE ONE), who snagged the feature film and TV rights to Catan over two years ago. At the time, Katz said, "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. 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." Sony Picture is hoping to use Catan to launch a possible franchise, and is looking to fast-track the project. Designed by Klaus Teuber and first published in Germany in 1995, The Settlers of Catan has players filling the roles of settlers on the island of Catan, with each attempting to build and develop holdings while trading and acquiring resources. I haven't played the game myself, but as Catan has sold more than 25 million copies in 38 languages, there's clearly a massive fan-base behind the franchise, but, will they turn out for a possible feature-film? It doesn't exactly scream movie franchise to me, but Gail Katz seems convinced that it can work.

We’re excited to be working with Sony to bring the iconic world of Catan to life. As huge fans of the game, we’re struck by the endless possibilities of stories that it could inspire. It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to work in a world beloved by millions of people, and expand its story for the screen.

Are there any board-games out there that would make a good feature-film?