What happens when you take a classic video game and pair it with an NBA All-Star? Word is, the classic popular Sega video game, ToeJam & Earl is on tap to make it to the big screen. Amazon Studios reportedly is in production to turn the Sega Genesis classic game into a movie. ToeJam & Earl, was released to the popular Genesis console in 1991, featuring two alien rappers – abruptly making their way to planet earth.
Created by Johnson Voorsanger Productions for the Sega Genesis, the video game was an instant classic amongst adults and children alike. When the thoughts of creating a film treatment based off of the video game’s concept came about, everyone was all in. To say all-in would be an understatement. NBA All-Star Stephen Curry, an avid entrepreneur, will produce the project under his media company, Unanimous Media. Unanimous Media, a multimedia company was founded by Curry and his business partner Erick Peyton. Unanimous Media produces film, television and digital content centered around family, sports storytelling and faith-based programs.
The production will feature the famous characters’, ToeJam and the always inquisitive Earl as they search high and low to find the missing wreckage from their previous crash to return to the planet Funkotron. As with the 1991 original, the characters in the adaptation will be on the hunt; however, their search will be for more than just missing wreckage. The duo navigates earth to find the missing antidote to cure the loss of “rhythm, funk and groove,” on their native planet. Throughout the expedition, the two will encounter pitfalls requiring solutions, which is sure to resonate with viewers. The screenplay to the adaptation will be written by Nunzio Randazzo and Amos Vernon, with Dan Jevons and Dmitri M. Johnson serving as producer. ToeJam & Earl will be co-produced by Mike Goldberg with Jenelle Lindsay, Voorsanger, Johnson, and Timothy I. Stevenson as executive producer.
To date, ToeJam & Earl continues to influence animated series and popular culture. From its original release in 1991, the ToeJam & Earl series remains one of the most popular games, with nearly 375,000 units sold. With Hollywood eager to pick-up video game adaptations, the popularity and familiarity of classic video games could make for box office success. In recent years, even television has joined the party of video games adaptations with many series and short cartoons.
Although the entire idea of a ToeJam & Earl movie is in the concept stage, it’s in great hopes that Amazon Studios and Unanimous Media follow through with the idea. We will keep you posted!
