The Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie, known for her roles in films such as Barbie and I, Tonya, will bring the long-awaited project to fruition with her production company, LuckyChap, and Lionsgate.
In a statement, LuckyChap expressed enthusiasm for the project, referring to it as "a top property" and a major opportunity. Lionsgate's film chief, Adam Fogelson, shared the company's excitement, anticipating the film becoming Robbie's "next blockbuster."
LuckyChap Productions, founded in 2014, has been responsible for successful films such as Promising Young Woman and Saltburn and TV shows such as Maid and Dollface. The company's mission is to broaden the scope of female-driven stories and female storytellers in Hollywood.
In 2023, LuckyChap achieved remarkable success with Barbie, which earned over $1.4 billion at the global box office and received eight Oscar nominations. The company's recent comedy, My Old Ass, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to favourable reviews and was acquired by Amazon for release.
Robbie and her team, including her husband and producing partner Tom Ackerley, are also planning an R-rated Christmas comedy titled Naughty with director Olivia Wilde. Additionally, LuckyChap will adapt the long-running video game The Sims for the screen.
Efforts to turn Monopoly into a movie have been made numerous times in the past. In 2008, director Ridley Scott was briefly attached to a comedy version of the game, focusing on a tycoon reminiscent of Donald Trump. In 2019, Kevin Hart was set to star in a film directed by Tim Story. However, the details of the new version of the movie remain unclear.
The news of the Monopoly film was unveiled at CinemaCon, an event that gathers exhibitors and celebrities in Las Vegas. Lionsgate also announced plans for a new interpretation of The Blair Witch Project involving the horror specialists at Blumhouse.
This project marks another milestone in Robbie's career as both an actress and producer. She has steadily built a reputation for backing innovative and impactful projects through LuckyChap. By taking on the Monopoly film, she is set to add another distinctive venture to her impressive portfolio.
Given LuckyChap's track record of successful films and its commitment to diverse and powerful storytelling, the Monopoly film could offer a fresh and entertaining take on the classic board game. Fans of Robbie's work and the game itself will likely anticipate this film with great interest.
While details about the film's plot and cast are yet to be revealed, the partnership between Robbie's LuckyChap and Hasbro promises an exciting cinematic experience. With Robbie at the helm, the Monopoly film is set to bring a new twist to a familiar and much-loved game.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.