Apple has acquired the previously teased live-action darkly comedic film adaptation of the famed early video game “The Oregon Trail”. The simulation game follows the experiences of 19th-century pioneer life with players taking on the role of a wagon leader who must decide what their group of settlers will bring on their journey west. The game, created in 1971 but reaching cult status in the 1990s was memorable for its high difficulty and dark humor, with players dying from various diseases, injuries or natural disasters at the drop of a hat.
“Blades of Glory” directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck are attached to direct and produce the project while Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will provide original music, which includes several original musical numbers said to be in the “vein of Barbie”. The four all worked together on Sony’s “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” film. The Lucas Bros.
(Judas and the Black Messiah) and Max Reisman will write the screenplay while Caroline Fraser and Kevin K. Vafi will produce. At last report it wasn’t clear if the film was aiming for a PG-13 or R-rating, but either way the plan is not to “pull any punches and be able to be darkly funny”.
Apple makes a natural home for the film as the company remade the game in 2021 with the title one of the best performers on Apple Arcade. Source:.
