'Risk' Feature Film Adaptation Lands Writer

Screenwriter John Hlavin is angling for world domination -- in the form of the classic Parker Brothers board game Risk.

Columbia Pictures is developing an action thriller based on the Cold War-era strategy game, in which players form armies and use them to attack the territories belonging to other players, and the studio is hiring Hlavin to pen the adaptation. The game, now owned by Hasbro (also home of Transformers and G.I. Joe--both at Paramount), was launched in the 1950s by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse (The Red Balloon). The typically hours-long game often becomes intense enough to spark conflict among the players.

Over the years, versions of the game have been designed around different eras throughout history as well as the moon. Hlavin's take will be set in modern day and take place all around the world.

Hasbro Entertainment's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir are producing with Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter. Hannah Minghella, Sam Dickerman and Jonathan Kadin will oversee for Columbia.

Repped by UTA and Management 360, Hlavin most recently co-wrote Underworld: New Dawn, which Screen Gems will release in January. He also has a heist movie set up at DreamWorks and the original Western The Gunslinger in development at Warner Bros.