I found him. He's behind the virgin.

Back in June of ’09, Vince pointed out that back in March of ’08 I made an absolutely hilarious* comment about “Where’s Waldo?” becoming a movie. So of course it didn’t surprise anyone when Universal and Illumination Entertainment stole my idea and paid seven figures to turn a series of books about a dork in a striped sweater getting lost at the beach into a live action film.

Well forget about those companies, because now MGM has the rights to Waldo and the studio that was in financial hell only one year ago is finally making this 24-year old character that has never had a plotline come to life.

Classic Media will produce the picture for MGM , with co-CEO Eric Ellenbogen and Hanford’s business partner Mike Gornall executive producing. “Waldo is the most searched-for character in the world,” said Ellenbogen in a statement. “With thanks to MGM, fans everywhere will find Waldo in movie theaters with his motion picture debut.”

(Via Slash Film)

Yeah, maybe now that Bin Laden is dead. But what the hell has Waldo done for me lately? All I’m saying is that this movie better not be two hours of us staring at a barber pole only to realize he’s hiding behind a little boy with a bunch of balloons. God I hated that book.

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Wow.  FilmDrunkards predicted this one.  Back in March of ’08, commenter Burnsy wrote, “Was Where’s Waldo a graphic novel? I’d like to see a movie based on that.”  Dammit, Burnsy, you know Hollywood people don’t understand sarcasm.

Several studios were in on the search, but Universal and Illumination Entertainment were the ones who found “Where’s Waldo?”
U and Chris Meledandri’s family film unit have acquired screen rights to turn the “Where’s Waldo?” book series into a live-action family pic. Deal was worth high-six against seven figures. Meledandri will produce.
Among other bidders, Warner Bros. chased the property. [Variety]

To recap, not only is someone making a Where’s Waldo movie…

• There was a bidding war
• They spent at least a million dollars for the rights
• To WHERE’S WALDO

I’ve said as much before, but I guarantee you business meetings in Hollywood involve the new guys Polish boxing while everyone throws oranges at them.  But hey, you know who should find Waldo?  Liam Neeson.  He has a very particular set of skills.